Part of Brighton railway station was cordoned off today after an asbestos scare.

Two workmen were showered in blue dust after cutting through ceiling material at a snack restaurant on the station concourse.

Their clothes were removed and the men were taken home and advised by paramedics to shower thoroughly.

The men, in their thirties and from Brighton, were waiting anxiously for tests to reveal what the material is.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "I wouldn't like to say whether it was blue asbestos or not, or whether they inhaled any of the material."

Emergency services said there was no risk to the public.