A rugby match was held in memory of two sport-loving brothers who died when fire ravaged their family home in East Sussex.

The game between Crowborough Rugby Club and East Sussex Fire Brigade was staged yesterday as a tribute to Alex and Phil Kent.

Afterwards, close friends sprinkled the brothers' ashes over Crowborough Golf Club, where they were well known.

A minute's silence preceded the rugby match in Steel Cross and the brothers' father, Richard, made a touching speech.

More than £6,000 was raised in a charity auction and a band played well into last night to commemorate the lives of the popular brothers.

Organiser James Wilmshurst said: "It was a lovely day. Alex was my best friend and godfather to my daughter.

"We were all touched by the support of the community, the fire service and the rugby club and it was a really nice way to remember them."

Off-duty firefighter Alex, 25, died attempting to rescue Phil as flames tore through their home at 2.30am on January 8.

Alex had already fought choking heat and fumes to guide his parents to safety as fire enveloped their detached house.

Realising assistant golf shop manager Philip, 23, was still inside, he re-entered the inferno to find him in a rear bedroom in Fermor Way, Crowborough.

However, university graduate Alex, a full-time firefighter based at Crowborough, was overcome by the blaze.

The keen sportsman was brought out by his colleagues, who only realised it was his family home while en route from their station.

Their death was the second tragedy to hit the rugby club in 12 months. In May last year, full-back Ian Gilbert, 25, from Crowborough, died during a stag weekend in Ostend, Belgium.

On Friday, a charity fashion show is being held at Lewes Town Hall with part of the proceeds going to the Alex and Phil Kent Memorial Fund.

Tickets, costing £5, can be bought from Matalan in Brighton, East Sussex Fire Brigade HQ, Upperton Road, Eastbourne, or firefighter Dave Amiet on 07745 486365.