Navy Crews manning Red Goddesses were called to a fire in a playground last night only to find it was just a burnt-out box of matches.

They were called to Motcombe Infant School in Eastbourne at about 4.50pm but could find no sign of fire.

They searched the playground and found a burnt box of matches next to a shed.

A Navy spokesman said: "It is the only thing they found so we can only assume someone saw some children playing the matches and making a fire and called us.

"But whatever it is we would always rather go out on a call. It's better to be safe than sorry."

About an hour later navy crews were called to a road accident in Hastings. A car had hit a skip and woman was trapped although paramedics managed to free her.

At about 7pm they were called to reports of a fire in the Ship Hotel in Kings Road, Brighton.

All the guests were evacuated and the crews discovered halogen lamps had caused some rubbish to start smoking.

Guest and staff evacuated a seafront hotel after a fire scare.

Hologen lamps used by workmen in a loft space heated rubbish and smoke filtered through the Old Ship Hotel in Kings Road, Brighton, just after 7pm yesterday.

More than 50 people left the building as Royal Navy firefighters dealt with the incident. Minor damage was caused.