Sixty residents were forced to evacuate a three-star hotel after workmen using blowtorches to strip paint sparked a fire.

Up to 20 firefighters from four stations were summoned after the blaze broke out on the basement floor of the Majestic Hotel on Grand Parade, Eastbourne.

Workers with blowtorches were attempting to strip paint from window frames when they caught light yesterday.

Flames spread to the first and second floors, forcing hotel bosses to evacuate guests to a restaurant next door.

Fire crews spent more than an hour at the hotel, which suffered minor smoke and fire damage.

Some guests were allowed back into the hotel two hours after the alert, although the first and second floors were last night off limits.

Others were transferred to the nearby Lynwood Hotel, owned by Shearings Holidays, which also owns the Majestic. No one was injured.

In a statement, Shearings Holidays said: "We operate the highest safety standards and the company always treats the safety and well-being of its customers as its highest priority.

"The company will be undertaking a full investigation into the incident, which represents an extremely rare occurrence."