A car fire caused rush-hour problems on a busy commuter road today.

Traffic queues stretched for three miles as firefighters tackled the blaze on the B2112 at Wivelsfield.

The road is used as a main route between Haywards Heath and Ditchling and Brighton.

Problems began when smoke started rising from a Renault saloon being driven towards Haywards Heath.

The driver pulled the car on to an embankment.

Among motorists who stopped to help was Steve Lowe, sales and promotions manager at the Argus, on his way to work.

Mr Lowe said: "The driver said she was on her way to take Christmas presents to her family and said she wanted to get them out of the boot.

"There was quite a lot of smoke coming from the engine so I suggested we had better get away from the car.

"As we walked back the fire quickly became more intense.

"All I could really do was use my mobile to call the emergency services."

A spokesman for West Sussex fire brigade said: "The car was severely damaged by the fire."