People were evacuated from a care home after lightning struck and damaged its roof.

Lightning struck Beach View care home in Elmer, Bognor, at 1.45am this morning.

Residents at the specialist disability home, which looks after ten people, had to leave the building.

Bricks crumbled on to the pavement below as a result of the strike.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "No fire was found and residents have been safely relocated. Scottish and Southern Energy also attended to make the electrical supply safe."

The Argus: Lightning over Worthing on Thursday morningLightning over Worthing on Thursday morning (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

More than 35,000 lightning strikes were recorded after 9.30pm last night although the Met Office said most of these were over the English Channel.

Two houses were struck by lightning just after 1am in Brookside Avenue, Polegate. At least one is understood to have caught fire.

Four fire engines from Eastbourne, Herstmonceux and Hailsham attended to put out the fire.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “Firefighters also used a Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fan for smoke clearance and thermal imaging cameras to check for hot spots.

“Crews put salvage sheets up in the roof of the properties to prevent any further storm damage and home safety visits were carried out for neighbouring properties.

“There were no casualties reported and crews left the scene by 2:35am, handing over to UK Power Networks.”

The Argus: Firefighters had to put out a blaze in PolegateFirefighters had to put out a blaze in Polegate (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Firefighters also attended a university building that was struck by lightning in Chichester.

Students had to be evacuated from the building in College Lane at 2.24am.

Firefighters said the roof and electrics were damaged by the strike.

The Argus: Lightning off the coast of NewhavenLightning off the coast of Newhaven (Image: James Ward)

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for a thunderstorm between 11pm last night and 6am this morning.

It advised that bus and rail services could be affected and buildings could be damaged by the lightning and strong winds.

In Brighton and Hove, the thunderstorm passed over from 2.15am to 3am.