The closure of Brighton's North Street this week was caused by a seagull, Premier Inn has revealed.

Firefighters closed off the busy city throughfare on Monday afternoon when they were called to an "unsafe window" at the budget hotel chain.

Today, hotel bosses said the damage was caused by a seagull. 

A spokesman from Premier Inn said: “We can confirm that our window contractors were called to our site in North Street on Monday morning following a window being damaged on the fourth floor by a seagull.

“The window and glazing were secure but as a precaution the decision was taken to replace it by our local contractors."

This was just the beginning of a hat trick of calamaties at the inn - proving bad luck really does come in threes for its unfortunate customers. 

Later guests wanting to take a hot bath or shower were left disappointed after the hotel’s hot water system packed up after a gas leak.

Hotel guest Lewis Plant moaned on Twitter: “Premier Inn Brighton. Anything but premier.”

And at around 8pm hundreds of guests had to be evacuated when more gas began leaking in the 99p store below.

Firefighters ordered more than 200 Premier Inn customers out of the hotel and into North Street.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue said a refrigerator in the shop was responsible for the leak.

The hotel spokesman added: “The fire service were recalled to the vicinity of the hotel later that day owing to a refrigerator leak from a retail premises below the site.

“As a precaution the hotel guests were again safely evacuated until the fire brigade declared the area clear for use at around 10pm.

“Guests were served tea and coffee in a holding area in the interim and free drinks and a buffet when they returned to the hotel, where the hot water was also restored after the initial gas leak.

“We would like to thank our guests, team members and the fire brigade for all of their help and co-operation, which ensured that all of these issues were resolved safely.”