A Worthing woman was led to safety by firefighters early today after a blaze in her kitchen.

Crews were called to the first-floor flat in Marine Parade at 12.30am after the woman became trapped in her living room.

Firefighters rescued the woman and gave her first aid. She was treated at Worthing Hospital for the effects of breathing in smoke.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "When we entered the flat the battery had been taken out of the smoke alarm.

"We cannot stress enough how important it is to have smoke alarms and keep them in full working order."