An East Sussex supermarket has been badly damaged after flames spread from a rubbish bin fire.

The blaze destroyed about 20 per cent of the roof and caused other extensive damage at Budgens in Station Road, Heathfield.

A water main also burst, causing further damage.

Eight fire crews from around the county were called to the blaze late last night and stayed at the scene until about 7am.

A fire brigade investigation team was working at Budgens today.

Ruth Bannister, manageress of Topknots hair salon opposite Budgens, blamed vandals.

She said: "There has been a lot of trouble over the last year.

"We had our door smashed on Easter Sunday and I came in here to find food all over the front of the shop."

She added: "There is a dry-cleaner's very close to Budgens. If that had gone up it could have been a lot worse. It is lucky no one was killed.

"The police try their best and we have been asking for CCTV cameras to be installed in the area."

Station Officer Gary Adam, of Uckfield fire brigade, said crews had been called four times since February to put out rubbish fires in the car park where last night's blaze began.

He said: "The matter is still under investigation. It is too early to come to any conclusions. The fire started in some wheelie bins at the back of the shop in the car park.

"The structure of the roof has some large overhanging areas and once it got going it went under the eaves."

No one was hurt in the blaze. Police want anyone with information to call them on 0845 6070999.