A fire broke out in the roof of a city centre office block which is to house a new Jamie Oliver restaurant.

Contractors were decommissioning an air extraction system in the roof of the former Lloyds TSB building in Black Lion Street, Brighton, when the fire started at lunchtime yesterday.

The site foreman said: "Two workmen tried to put it out but then decided to call the fire brigade. It was mainly out by the time they arrived."

Four fire engines attended and firefighters used an aerial ladder to reach the roof of the sevenstorey 1960s block, which is known as Moore House. Police diverted traffic from the area while the operation was underway.

The building, which has been empty since September, is being renovated by Karis Developments, the firm behind the controversial King Alfred scheme in Hove.

The £7.5million redevelopment will feature 24,000 sq ft of office space and a branch of TV chef Jamie Oliver's new Jamie's Italian restaurant chain on the ground floor.

The firm also plans to turn the derelict building next door to Moore House into an entertainment venue with a club, cocktail lounge, private karaoke rooms and a rooftop terrace.

It is due to open next summer.