An investigation has been launched after a prisoner set fire to himself in a cell at Brighton police station.

Custody officers were alerted to the blaze when smoke began pouring from the remand cell.

Nearby cells had to be evacuated and officers used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

Fire crews were called to the police station in John Street at about 1.20am today.

They prevented the flames from spreading.

Four adjacent cells were damaged and will not be in use until later today.

A custody sergeant and a custody assistant were taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A small fire was started in a cell but no one was seriously hurt.

"We are investigating the causes of the fire but at this stage we believe the prisoner started it."

Officers refused to reveal the man's identity.