Four people have been injured, two seriously, after a balcony they were standing on collapsed.

Emergency services were called to a first-floor flat in Montpelier Road, Brighton, just after 11.45pm (Friday, July 1).

Multiple police units arrived soon after the collapse, with several fire engines also in attendance.

Neighbours said they heard a "loud crash" before venturing outside to see what had happened.

The first-floor stone balcony of the flat was half-missing, with its iron railings warped where the flooring had fallen away.

Part of the balcony fell, past the ground floor entrance, into a basement flat access way of the building, believed to have been constructed in the mid-19th century. Some of those injured fell with it into the basement.

A resident living a few doors down, who did not wish to be named, was standing outside in night clothes with his partner.

He told The Argus: "We heard a loud bang and came outside.

"From inside the flat it felt like a car crash."

A police inspector told onlooking residents to go back into their homes and not to go on to their balconies as a precaution.

Other passers-by, some of whom were Friday-night revellers, were turned back as a cordon was extended to the junction of Montpelier Terrace and, farther uphill, at the junction of Victoria Road.

Two of the casualties went to hospital by ambulance about an hour after emergency services arrived.

The other two were rushed to A&E at about 1.10am today (Saturday, July 2).

A Sussex Police spokesman confirmed to The Argus that four people were injured.

He said: "We have two walking wounded and two seriously injured.

"There are no suspicious circumstances."

The road was closed as the incident unfolded and a "multi-agency meeting" took place to assess the situation.

Fire crews from as far afield as Lewes and Battle were called in to assist with the rescue operation as it is believed those in the basement are unable to move, according to nearby residents, though a fire service spokeswoman could not confirm that anybody was trapped under debris.

A spokeswoman from East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "We were called at 11.49pm by ambulance crews.

"There was a balcony which we believe had collapsed.

"There are four casualties, which crews and the ambulance are dealing with.

"Some of the casualties are in the basement area."

There were three fire engines from Brighton, two from Lewes and two from Battle as well as several ambulances.

Building control officials later arrived on scene.