Two giant companies have fallen into a dispute, resulting in real hardship for 20 small businesses.

All the firms which occupied Eastman House at Fleming Way in Crawley were evicted without notice. Staff turned up to find the doors locked.

They were the victims of a property dispute between British Airways and Norwich Union after another company sublet the building to the 20 businesses without permission.

Norwich Union and BA may well be within their rights to want the building cleared.

However, in expecting small companies, who had acted in good faith, to get out immediately, they have left them no time find somewhere else to run their firms.

They should at least give the firms a few weeks to make alternative arrangements.