A CAR-sized sinkhole has opened up in the middle of a town centre road.

The gurgling hole started opening up in Crouch Lane, Seaford, this afternoon at around 12pm.

Rats could be seen running out of the sinkhole which has been growing by the hour.

One passerby told The Argus that the hole is “getting wider really fast”.

The Argus: ESFRS at the scene in Crouch LaneESFRS at the scene in Crouch Lane

He said: “It’s across the entire space of the road, it’s quite a narrow road."

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said crews from Newhaven were called at 12.15pm to a “suspected sinkhole in the road”.

There is currently a cordon in place around the sinkhole while ESFRS drain it.

The Argus: The sinkhole at 2.10pmThe sinkhole at 2.10pm

A spokesman for Sussex Police added that it is unclear when the road will reopen.

The spokesman said: “At 1pm on Thursday, August 11, police responded to a call from East Sussex Fire & Rescue to attend Crouch Lane, Seaford, owing to a sinkhole.

“The road is closed and it is not yet known when it will re-open.”

The Argus: The sinkhole filled to the brim today gurgling as rats run out from it. Picture from Nick Meldrum The sinkhole filled to the brim today gurgling as rats run out from it. Picture from Nick Meldrum

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate James MacCleary said “our road and sewage infrastructure is literally collapsing around us”.

He has asked for East Sussex County Council to confirm it was addressing the sinkhole urgently.

East Sussex County Council, which manages roads in the area, has been approached for comment.