A CAR fire is causing severe delays on the southbound A23.

The emergency services have been called to the incident on the A23 southbound at Handcross Hill, 300 yards from the B2115 Warninglid junction, where a car has caught fire.

First reports were received at around 3.40pm when the fire led to lanes one and two of the three-lane section being closed to vehicles.

Within the hour just lane one was sealed off to traffic.

However, traffic queues have built up and drivers are advised to avoid the A23 southbound until the incident has been cleared.

A Sussex Police spokesman said an inspection of the road surface by highways engineers for any heat damage would need to take place before the lane could be reopened.