A police hunt has been launched for arsonists who started two separate fires at a council-owned block of flats in Hove.

Detectives are linking the two fires, which they say put lives in danger.

Officers were called to Conway Court in Clarendon Road by firefighters around 8pm on Friday and then again at 8.30pm yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said: "Brighton & Hove City CID are treating the incidents as arson with intent to endanger life because the fires have been set in the communal area of a multi-occupancy block of flats."

PC Steven Smethurst said: "Both of these incidents could have escalated into life-threatening situations for the people living in this block of flats and I need witnesses to contact me urgently."

Anyone with any information can contact PC Smethurst at Hove police station on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.