A gas leak has closed a section of the A27 at Sompting for the second time in eight days.

Contractors working on improvements to the major traffic artery at Sompting damaged a high-pressure gas pipe just yards from where it was ruptured last Monday.

The Sompting bypass had to be closed from the Manor Road roundabout to Lyons Farm after the leak at 8.30am.

Two fire engines were put on standby but homes were not evacuated because the leak happened in a fairly remote area.

Fire brigade Assistant Divisional Officer Ray Jackson said: "Contractors have gone through a high pressure gas pipe about two metres up from the previous leak and we have got high pressure gas escaping at the moment."

The road was closed until 11.20am. A Highways Agency spokeswoman said a temporary repair had been carried out and a fuller one would be made during the night when traffic was lighter.

She said: "The Agency regrets any inconvenience caused and we are making every effort to ensure the road is open and clear to motorists."

Adur councillor Ken Bashford said local people were tiring of chaos on the stretch of road.

He said: "I'm absolutely disgusted that this has happened again.

"I know they have had problems with pipes not being where they're supposed to be, but nevertheless it's a great annoyance to all of us who live here.

"Because of the repairs, all the roads round here have been blocked up with traffic and this looks like pushing the completion of these works into March. It's absolutely ridiculous."