A West Sussex horticultural factory was evacuated during a gas leak.

A forklift truck accidentally ruptured a tank containing 2,000 litres of liquid gas at Van Heyningen Bros in Littlehampton.

Firefighters sealed off the site in Toddington Lane while an emergency engineer from Calor was brought in.

Several workers had to leave the building and nearby companies were told to keep their windows and doors closed because of the fumes.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "Our main concern was the risk of an explosion if the gas ignited, which was why the area was cleared."

The gas was siphoned out of the tank and the damage repaired.