A nursing home is to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday a week late after a planned party was abandoned because of a fire.

More than 40 residents at Regency Court in Littlehampton were to crack open the champagne and cut a cake during a celebration last Friday, the day of the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.

But fire broke out at the home early on Friday, cutting off the building's electricity supply.

The home was not badly damaged but residents had to be evacuated and sent to neighbouring residential homes.

They had all returned by Friday afternoon but it was too late for the party.

Staff at the home in South Terrace are to hold it tomorrow instead.

Home administrator Maureen Clarke said: "It is a way of showing people that we are still operating as usual and we were not badly affected by the fire.

"Many of the residents were disappointed we could not celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday so we thought we would rearrange the day instead.

"We have still got all the bunting up from last week and we haven't touched the cake or champagne, so we are looking forward to a good celebration."