An East Sussex couple have spoken of the trauma they suffered before returning to the home where their two sons died in a fire.

Richard and Janet Kent, of Fermor Way, Crowborough, spoke publicly for the first time today since moving back into the house, which was virtually destroyed by a blaze in January.

The couple's two firefighter sons, Alex and Phil, were killed in the fire.

Mrs Kent said: "We have had such a great deal of support from our good friends and neighbours in Fermor Way. We had thought about moving but we had such strong feelings about the area."

Mr Kent said their sons' friends had often visited the home and the couple were determined to face the future positively.

Repairs to the house cost about £130,000.

The blaze, which started in the living room, took hold of the house in minutes.

Alex, who had been a firefighter at the Crowborough station for just ten months, was asleep in the room at the time and woke to find the fire taking hold.

He led his parents to safety, dialled 999 and ran back into the house to rescue his younger brother Phil, 23, who had been asleep in his room at the back of the property.

Searing heat and smoke are believed to have been too much for the 25-year-old, a keen sportsman.

Phil, an assistant manager at a golf shop, was believed to have been trapped by falling rubble.

For the Kents the tragedy has instilled in them a sense of determination to prevent other families suffering.

They believe had a sprinkler system been in place the fire would not have spread and the lives of their sons not been lost.

Both have worked to promote the sprinkler campaign and have been backed by MPs such as Michael Foster and the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokeswoman for the service said: "The work Richard and Janet Kent have done since the tragedy to promote residential sprinkler systems has been outstanding.

"We are indebted to them for their contribution and support."