POLICE and fire crews are attending a town centre castle.

They are responding to reports that a wall has collapsed.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police are responding to a report of part of Lewes Castle collapsing onto buildings in Castle Ditch Lane, Lewes.

"Fire service colleagues requested the assistance of search dogs and a drone having been alerted at 12.22pm.

"It is not known at this time if anyone is trapped as a result."

A witness said there was a helicopter overhead as well as a large number of police, ambulance and fire crews.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are currently at Lewes Castle following reports of a wall collapsing in the Old Coach House at 12.22pm today.

"Firefighters are working to check the area to ensure that no one needs rescuing."

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said members of its Technical Rescue Team are currently on site supporting crews from East Sussex.

Ambulance crews are also aiding in the search effort.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "I can just confirm that ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team are in attendance along with our police and fire colleagues.

"This follows a call at approximately 1.20pm to Ditch Lane, Lewes, reporting the collapse of a part of the castle."

A spokesman from Lewes District Council said that officers from the authority's building control team are currently at the scene and are "liaising with emergency services.

He added: "There will be no further comment at this time."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service provided an update on the incident at 6.20pm.

A spokesman said: "East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is expected to be at the scene of a wall collapse in Lewes for most of the evening.

"We were mobilised at 12.22pm today following reports that part of Lewes Castle had fallen onto a commercial building called the Old Coach House. 

"Assistance was requested from Sussex Police, SECamb, HART, Building Control, the Red Cross and specialist teams, including both Kent and West Sussex Urban Search and Rescue.

"Technology and search dogs are being used to assist with the multi-agency operation.

"There are no reports of injuries or casualties."