Flames ripped through a block of flats early today after uncollected bin bags turned the building into a fire trap.

Residents fled their homes after fire broke out in piles of rubbish in Lancing Court, Findon Road, Whitehawk, Brighton.

A mother and two young boys were trapped in their top-floor flat as smoke filled the corridors and stairs shortly after 3am.

Firefighters told Dawn Greenaway, 36, and sons Joe, six, and Andrew Blake, five, to stay in their flat because the thick smoke made it too dangerous to go downstairs.

The family was eventually led to safety after the blaze was brought under control.

Horrified residents claim their lives were put at risk by the uncollected rubbish which has piled up in the building during recent weeks.

Firefighters say bin bags dumped on stairs and corridors fed the flames.

Miss Greenaway said: "We heard lots of shouting and smelled burning plastic. I opened the kitchen window and someone said it was all right, someone had set the bin room alight.

"But I knew it was full to the brim and people were putting rubbish along the corridors because it had built up so much.

"Andrew, my youngest, was petrified, saying 'I want to get out'. I was panicking but I was trying to calm him down."

The fire brigade believes the blaze was started deliberately.

Roedean sub officer John Bradford said: "The premises were so badly maintained, with broken doors and windows, that smoke drifted through the building and several flats became smoke-logged.

"Basically the fire was so severe because of the build up of rubbish inside."

A council spokeswoman said: "The safety of tenants is a priority so we value the fire brigade's input and will work with them to take any necessary measures they've identified.

"Unfortunately the windows do get smashed frequently but we replace them as quickly as possible once they've been reported to us."