Shoppers escaped unharmed when the front of a pub partially collapsed in a busy Hove shopping street.

Onlookers jumped with fright as a portion of the hoarding on the Cliftonville Inn, George Street, Hove, toppled to the ground.

Barman James Shaw, 26, who was working in the Slug and Lettuce bar opposite, said: "The sign literally fell off. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Michael Lee, 45, who was in the bar at the time, said the incident could have been worse.

He said: "The fascia came clean away. The great thing is that no one was under it. It was incredibly lucky there were no injuries."

Scaffolding was swiftly put up on the front of the pub and it was closed last evening as builders assessed the damage.

A spokesman for the pub chain said: "Wetherspoons makes every effort to ensure the safety of its pubs.

"We are pleased nothing happened to anyone passing by. We will be sure to investigate."