Worthing firefighters have raised thousands of pounds for the families of the US terror attack victims.

In just one week, 80 firefighters from the station in Ardsheal Road collected more than £15,000 through street collections in the town, bringing the total figure raised by West Sussex Fire Brigade to £37,000.

Station commander Len Palmer said the mood at Worthing fire station was very strange when the tragedy happened.

He said: "At the station, we tried not to talk about the horror we had witnessed.

"Just like after any job, we only discussed the practicalities of how we would have coped. We could not imagine trying to tackle such a situation.

"Personally, I felt numb as I watched the tragedy unfold on the television. Then this turned into absolute devastation. I couldn't believe what a tragic waste of life it was."

He said the public's response, with young and old donating everything from pennies to notes, meant a great deal to West Sussex firefighters.

Leading Firefighter Ian Smith said: "We have a common bond with firefighters throughout the world."

West Sussex Fire Brigade, which set up an account and invited crews across the county to raise money, will continue to accept donations until Thursday November 15.

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund can drop in cash or send a cheque - made payable to WSFB New York Firefighters Fund - to Worthing Fire Station, Ardsheal Road, Worthing, BN14 7RN.