A FIRE service has warned drivers to be careful after a series of crashes.

The collisions happened this morning as heavy showers and surface water made for perilous driving conditions.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Please take care out there today, heavy rain showers are leading to a lot of spray on the roads.

“Always drive to the conditions and, most importantly, drive to arrive.

“We were called to the A24 northbound between Dial Post and Buckbarn at 10.48am to reports that a vehicle had left the road.

“A crew from Worthing attended and ensured the vehicle was made safe.

“Crews from Burgess Hill, Crawley and Haywards Heath were called to another crash involving one vehicle on the A23 between Bolney and Hickstead at 10.54am.

“They found a vehicle on its side and helped rescue one person from inside using a ladder after stabilising the vehicle.

“At 11.01, a crew from Shoreham was mobilised to Chesswood Road following reports of a crash involving two vehicles.

“Firefighters made the vehicles safe.

“At 11.39am we were called to reports of a crash involving one vehicle on the M23 Northbound between Junction 10a for Maidenbower and 10 for Crawley.

“Crews from Crawley, East Grinstead and a Surrey Fire and Rescue Service crew from Salfords were mobilised to the scene.”

This follows a busy weekend in which hurricane speed winds caused chaos on the roads, blowing over power lines, trees and scaffolding across Sussex.