More than 100 people have been evacuated from their homes after a bonfire spread to an industrial workshop containing gas cylinders.

Villagers in Balcombe, near Haywards Heath, were forced to spend last night away from home following fears the two acetylene pods could explode.

The evacuees included some 60 pensioners from Russettings nursing home, who were taken by ambulance to care homes in nearby Haywards Heath.

More than 40 firefighters were called to the scene at noon yesterday after neighbours raised the alarm.

But explosion fears prevented them from going in. By 4pm police had set up a 200 metre exclusion zone and told people living nearby to leave their homes.

This morning, 15 officers remained at the scene as a precaution waiting for health and safety experts to give the all clear, expected at lunchtime today.

Don Turner, 75, and his wife Eileen, 78, of Mill Lane, made the 999 call after spotting the flames.

He said: "The police came round and told us to draw the curtains and close the windows at the back of the house.

"The fire was still smouldering when we were taken away in the ambulance.

"It was all a bit of a rush and a bit traumatic, especially as my wife is bedridden. It was like being in the war again, when we used to go down into the shelters because of the bombing."

The couple were evacuated and taken with other elderly residents to Oaklands, Haywards Heath, before being found temporary accommodation in the town.

Assistant divisional officer firefighter Roger Wood said the cylinders were dangerous once heated and would need about 24 hours to cool.

Some villagers had time to pack small suitcases while others like Mike Cole, 69, of Mill Lane, left only in the clothes they were wearing.

He was shocked when police told him he would not be able to go home last night and made plans to stay with his sister in the village.

Inspector Roy Apps, of Haywards Heath, said: "We evacuated people overnight as a precaution until the cylinders could be made safe.

"Residents may be allowed to return home to retrieve pets and other essentials but each case will be treated individually."