Firefighters were today investigating the cause of a blaze which destroyed a row of beach huts.

The alarm was raised at around 1am when flames were spotted coming from one of the timber huts near Cinque Ports Way, St Leonards.

By the time fire crews arrived the blaze had spread along five of the huts in the row of around 100.

Some possessions left in the huts were also destroyed, including deck chairs and clothing.

Sub Officer Mick Taylor, from the Bohemia Road Fire Station, Hastings, said: "As they were timber buildings they burned quickly, especially with the breeze from the sea."

Firefighters were hindered by the distance of the fire from the nearest water hydrant and were unable to use sea water as the tide was out.