A council has launched an investigation into how a wheelchair-bound woman was locked in public toilets for more than two hours.

The woman used the toilets in Harold Place, Hastings, at 7pm but then found the metal gates were locked.

Using her mobile phone, she tried to contact the council but only managed to get through to its answering service.

The woman then contacted the police.

Efforts were made to lever the lock fittings off the wall by a passer-by, but firefighters arrived shortly afterwards to free her with bolt cutters.

A spokeswoman for Hastings Borough Council apologised and said a full investigation had been launched.

She said contractors locked the toilet before the agreed time of 9pm.