The scorching weekend weather caused major traffic jams as people flocked to the coast.

On the A23 motorists were caught in a ten-mile tailback stretching past Hickstead by 10am.

There were long queues at the Beddingham level crossing near Lewes, which was manually operated yesterday after breaking down.

Tempers frayed in Worthing when dozens of families were turned away from the paddling pool near the Aquarena swimming complex.

A notice said there had been a mechanical failure.

Firefighters urged caution when holding barbecues after they spent more than an hour cooling down a gas cylinder which burst into flames.

They were called to a house in Orchard Way, Haywards Heath, on Saturday. The blaze caused extensive damage to a hedge.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire Brigade said people should check barbecues before using them and make sure they were well away from hedges, fences or sheds.

Firefighters were called to Tilgate Forest, near Crawley, yesterday after 15 acres of woodland caught alight.