Town centre roads remained closed this morning after a major gas pipe cracked near a busy junction.

The gas leak near the Courts furniture shop in the Keymer Road was reported yesterday afternoon.

Police closed off nearby roads and at one point considered evacuating nearby buildings in case of explosion.

Workmen started digging down to the pipe last night to assess the damage.

A spokesman for gas network firm Transco said he hoped the roads would be open again by tonight.

He urged motorists to find an alternative route in the meantime.