Arsonists started a blaze that swept through a row of beach huts on Worthing seafront.

Firefighters were called to the seafront near Splash Point in Marine Parade at 3.45am today.

Flames were shooting through the windows of four of the wooden huts and crews feared the blaze would spread to the neighbouring Ju Ju's cafe.

By the time it was under control four of the huts, owned by the council and rented to holiday-makers, were gutted.

Another three have been seriously damaged.

One is used as a studio by a local artist and all of the paintings stored inside were destroyed.

This morning the smell of smoke filled the air on Worthing beach. Inflatables, children's toys and deckchairs lay among the charred remains of the chalets.

Police and fire investigators sifted through the debris in a search of clues.

Tearful cafe owner Julie Major arrived at 9am, sat down on an outside step, put her head in her hands and said: "I've had enough."

Her husband, Michael Major, said: "We heard about the fire on our way here to open up the cafe. All the stock is damaged so we will have to throw away all the food. We will be closed for a few days.

"This is the climax of a very bad season for us. We are disgusted at the bad policing of the area. Every day we have to deal with vandalism and have to pick up the pieces.

"This makes us feel like giving up. But like everything in life, we have to carry on with the business and get through it."

Cliff Harrison, head of the council's technical services, said: "The fire is regrettable and we believe it wasn't accidental.

"All the huts are rented at the moment and we will be in touch with the occupants today. We will then make them safe and cover them with tarpaulin."

Arsonists are also thought to have started a blaze in a block of town centre toilets.

Two crews from Worthing were called to the toilets in the ground floor of Teville Gate car park at about 2.19am today.

Smoke was pouring from the block and crews discovered rubbish and tyres nearby had been set alight.