A blind woman and her disabled husband have lost everything they own in a fireball which engulfed their removal van.

The Houghtons had been planning a dream move to their beloved Eastbourne when they were told of the accident on the A23 dual carriageway near Bolney last night.

Diana Mercer, of Eastbourne-based Edwins Removals, which was moving £25,000 of possessions for the couple, said: "If it had happened to anyone it would be horrible, for it to happen to the Houghtons is even more upsetting."

The couple were being consoled by friends on Friday night.

Traffic came to a halt on the southbound carriageway near Bolney as the fuel tank of the 7.5 tonne van exploded on Friday.

Three removal men got out in time to watch around £25,000 worth of possessions go up in flames.

Terry Mercer, owner of Edwins Removals, based in Eastbourne, was driving the lorry when it caught fire before the turn off to Burgess Hill.

He said: "I feel more sorry for the couple who were moving but it was all quite scary.

"When the fuel tank went up it was very frightening and there's not much left of it now. It was very traumatic."

The Houghtons, both pensioners, are believed to have booked themselves into an Eastbourne hotel where they were to stay while their furniture was being arranged in a new home.

They had holidayed on the coast for 20 years and had decided to make a new life in Eastbourne, the removals company said.

Mr Mercer told The Argus: "There was smoke coming from the engine so we pulled over - then the whole van suddenly caught fire.

"We've been going for 30-odd years and we've neverhad an accident before, no claims on the insurance, and this is our only large van.

"But the Houghtons have lost their whole household - a TV, personal stuff, video, all their clothes, even an electric wheelchair."

At the firm's office in Willingdon Road, Diana Mercer described her shock at hearing her husband's lorry had erupted in flames at just after 1pm.

She said: "I just burst into tears at first, I was so worried about what had happened to them. We work so hard and we're so conscientious."

Her heart went out to the disabled couple who lost everything. She said: "If it had happened to anyone it would be horrible. For it to happen to the Houghtons is even more upsetting."