Dozens of people could be out of their homes for Christmas after a gas leak.

Around 60 residents of Stevens Court and Benson Court, off Portland Road, in Hove, were put up in hotels on Wednesday by Brighton and Hove City Council after being told they had to leave their homes.

Others stayed with friends and family whilst engineers tried to find the source of the leak.

But Southern Gas said last night that engineers were still trying to “pinpoint the problem” after gas escaped into the building - and could not say whether residents would be able to be back home by December 25.

The council and Southern Gas said they hoped to let people back into their homes as soon as possible but could not give a timescale on when the problem would be fixed.

A base has been set up at nearby Murial House so that residents who have not been able to return home could be given advice and help.

Residents from around half the 40 affected flats were allowed back into their homes last night but electricity and gas supplies were still cut off to the remaining flats.

Brighton and Hove City Council has set up a helpline for residents on 07825 387380.