The Argus Appeal has stepped in to help a disabled man left homeless by fire.

Sean Jeffrey was left with nothing but the clothes he was wearing after a blaze ripped through his flat at St John's Road in Hove on Wednesday.

The fire started in a car-spraying workshop on the ground floor of the building.

Mr Jeffrey, a single parent, said he could not get insurance because his flat was above the garage.

The Argus Appeal has given the 41-year-old emergency funds to help him piece his life back together.

He is staying with neighbours and his eight-year-old daughter has gone to stay with her mother while he organises new accommodation.

Mr Jeffrey thanked Argus Appeal trustees for their donation.

He said: "It's much appreciated.

"I've lost everything. I can't get any money out. I have got no proof of who I am."

A fire started in the Palmeira Bodyworks workshop on Wednesday morning and engulfed the whole building in billows of flame and smoke.

Eight fire engines and 35 firefighters were called in to fight the blaze.

The area was cordoned off amid fears propane cylinders inside the workshop could blow up.

Mr Jeffrey's rented two-bedroom flat was completely destroyed.

Nothing was left of his or his daughter's possessions.

The former scaffolder has been disabled since he injured his right foot at work more than six years ago.

He does not yet know when he will be able to find a new place to live.

Mr Jeffrey said nothing could be salvaged from the gutted flat.

He said: "The floor of the flat has gone in, the roof has gone in."

Argus Appeal coordinator Elsa Gillio said: "This is exactly what the Argus Appeal is all about.

"We can react instantly and effectively for the people in most need in our community and that is why people support us."

Appeal trustee Julien Boast said: "We are very happy to help.

"The Argus Appeal is about getting in there quick and sorting people out."

The appeal is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In 2006 it raised £220,000 for charities in Sussex.

Thousands of people across the county raise money each year by taking part in events including the South Downs Way Challenge bike ride.

For more information visit www.theargus.co.uk/argusappeal