Cyanide and sulphuric acid were released when fire broke out at an electronics firm early today.

More than 30 firefighters were called in when the chemicals started fizzing from cylinders at the Deutsch unit on the Castleham Industrial Estate, Hastings.

Crews from Hastings and Battle and a specialist chemical unit from Eastbourne, clad in gas suits, spent more than two hours making the area safe.

A small number of workers at the factory were ushered outside.

Sub Officer Steve Courtage of Eastbourne fire station said: "It was a seriously foggy night.

"As the smoke was coming out of the building, it was being dragged down to ground level, meaning it wasn't creating too much of a problem."

The fire broke out within the plating area at the company's main manufacturing site.

Operations director Patrick Farmer said: "The fire was contained and extinguished by the automatic sprinkler system.

"The company fire evacuation procedure operated to plan and no injuries were sustained.

"The company does not believe that there has been any risk to the general public as a result of this incident."