A disabled couple who lost everything when their removal van erupted into a fireball have moved into their new home.

Bernice and Dennis Houghton's dream move to Eastbourne turned into a nightmare when the lorry carrying their belongings caught fire on the A23 earlier this month.

But on Monday, Mrs Houghton, who is blind, and her partially-sighted husband moved into their new assisted-living apartment, loaded with furniture and equipment provided by the public.

Gifts and donations are still arriving for the couple, whose lost possessions include wedding photos and a collection of teddies.

The couple decided to move to Sussex after being burgled three times in Roehampton, London.

Mr Houghton, 63, said: "It's marvellous to be here. People have been very kind responding to articles in the newspaper. It's difficult to put into words how grateful we are to everyone who has helped.

"We've written to everybody thanking them for their generosity. You hear about people not being nice to others but here everyone has been wonderful."

Mr Houghton is paralysed down his right side after suffering a stroke.

Mrs Houghton, 60, was treated for cancer before Christmas and needs three-and-a-half hours of dialysis three times a week.

Their new apartment is designed with their disabilities in mind - even down to a talking microwave.

Other adapted equipment, including a talking alarm clock and a book reader lost in the fire, have been replaced through insurance money and charitable donations.

But all the furniture they are using is temporary while they wait for replacements to be delivered.

Although the Houghtons now have enough appliances to move into the home they dreamed of after visiting Eastbourne regularly for 20 years, their loss still pains them.

Mrs Houghton said: "I'm getting over it but it is still at the back of my mind all the time. We've lost wedding photos and tapes - a lot of things you could never replace.

"But whatever happened we wouldn't want to go back to London. We're far better here."