Hundreds of people have been affected by the closure of a Mid Sussex leisure centre targeted by arsonists last night.

Easter holiday programmes for children are among the activities cancelled at King's Leisure Centre, Moat Road, East Grinstead.

The plant room which contains the boiler and gas and electric supplies was damaged after a fire in a wheelie bin spread to the building.

When firefighters from East Grinstead arrived just after midnight flames were licking around the gas mains and liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. None had exploded, though firefighters said it could easily have been a lot more serious.

The flames had spread to the wooden fencing and boiler room door causing fire and smoke damage.

A parked car had also been set on fire.

Water, gas and electricity supplies have been affected, the swimming pool is closed, and all the Easter holiday programmes have been cancelled.

A firefighter at the scene said: "It could have been pretty nasty. We suspect it was arson, but we don't know if the perpetrator intended the fire to spread to the boiler room.

"Our fire investigators are back at the centre this morning and we will be working with police in the investigation."

The fire follows a similar arson attack in Middle Row in the centre of the town last week.

A spokeswoman for Mid Sussex District Council, which runs the centre, said: "We don't know how long the centre will be closed. It is a real shame."