Grove Road police station in Eastbourne was evacuated today following reports of smoke belching from its underground car park.

Prisoners in custody were moved to Eastbourne Magistrates' Court in Old Orchard Road as Navy crews dashed to the scene.

Military fire control, based at Sussex police HQ in Lewes, received reports of smoke coming from the police station at 8.30am.

Two Green Goddesses from Eastbourne and one from Crawley were dispatched at 8.40am, along with a breathing apparatus rescue team.

Some military firefighters entered the car park with dry powder to find a generator had overheated, triggering smoke but no fire.

A military spokesman said: "Once we found the source of the smoke, we quickly brought it under control within 20 minutes."