Quick-thinking neighbours rushed to the rescue of six people after hearing screams coming from a burning block of flats.

People living near Whitelot Close, Southwick, brought ladders and broke a ground-floor window to help lead people to safety from the three-storey building.

Five people were rescued by neighbours and a sixth by firefighters.

The drama started at about 4.15pm yesterday when smoke was spotted pouring from a top-floor window.

Tracy Collins, who lives opposite, said: "It was a real community effort. We had people in our street and from nearby streets all coming over.

"One guy called John Kirby climbed up one of the ladders to help get a mother and her daughter out.

"My husband helped force a window in the ground floor open so an elderly lady could get out. While we were helping one side, others were jumping out and using ladders on the other side of the building.

"Nobody really had time to think about it - we all just rushed to do what we could.

"I didn't know the people we helped very well, just to speak to. I have never seen so many neighbours in the place at the same time. It was a real community effort."

Retired bricklayer Nick Evento, 67, helped hold the ladder while Mr Kirby climbed up to get people out.

He said: "Another five minutes and it could have been a lot more serious. I did not really have much time to think about it. I heard the cry for help and just went for it.

"The other chap went halfway up the ladder to help the people out.

"I am glad they were all right and we were able to help. I don't think they were badly hurt but were obviously shocked and probably inhaled smoke.

"It could have been a lot worse. They are a very nice family. I see them quite a lot and they always give a smile and say hello.

Dozens of firefighters from stations including Shoreham, Worthing, and Hove were called to the blaze, which is believed to have been started deliberately.

They had to rip tiles off the roof to help bring the fire under control.

Sussex Ambulance paramedics were on hand to treat people for shock and smoke inhalation but there were no serious injuries. Five people were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke.

One witness said: "You could see a lot of smoke and the firefighters were up on the roof ripping off the tiles.

"There were a lot of people milling around and there were several paramedics and police on the scene.

"I could see paramedics talking to a couple of teenagers who had been led away from the building. Nobody seemed to be badly hurt.

"The road was blocked off by the police and fire engines but people were still looking to see what was going on."

Fire brigade Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Osborne praised the efforts of neighbours who joined forces help get people out of the building.

He said: "There was a deep seated fire in the stairwell and there was no way the people on the top floor could have got out.

"The community-spirited actions of all the neighbours who came to help before the brigade arrived certainly saved those people's lives.

"It was a heroic action by the community involved and very public spirited."