An elderly woman died after being rescued from her burning bungalow.

Margaret Banfield, 81, was trapped in her home in Winterton Way, Shoreham Beach, yesterday afternoon as fire took hold.

Four firefighters went in to rescue her.

The blaze is believed to have started in the lounge but a fire brigade spokesman said the cause was not known.

Mrs Banfield, who lived alone, was taken to Worthing Hospital suffering from burns and the effects of smoke. She died soon afterwards.

Neighbours Michael Coleman said: "We were out when the fire started. We came home to find the fire brigade there.

"I think the neighbours had been a bit concerned about her."

Another neighbour, Nancy Dungate, said Mrs Banfield rarely left the house but would visit her neighbours if she needed help.

Fire investigation teams were yesterday looking into the incident.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said the matter was not being treated as suspicious.