Five elderly residents were led to safety when a fire broke out at their West Sussex care home.

Sixty-five firefighters were called to tackle the blaze which damaged Abbeyfield House, Storrington, yesterday afternoon.

Police closed the A283 Storrington-to-Washington road while crews fought the flames.

The alarm was raised at 2.45pm by a member of the public who spotted flames coming from a neighbouring garage.

By the time firefighters arrived they found the residential care home was also on fire.

Divisional Officer Trevor Pilcher said: "Fire crews quickly entered the building to prevent the fire spreading any further."

Ambulance crews cared for the elderly residents who were taken to the nearby Sussexdown nursing home.