A blind woman and her partially-sighted husband said today they lost virtually everything they owned when a removal van went up in flames.

Bernice and Dennis Houghton's dream move to Eastbourne turned into a nightmare when the 7.5-tonne lorry carrying all their belongings burst into flames on the A23 on Friday.

Mr Houghton said: "It's still upsetting. We've got so much specialist equipment that needs to be replaced and we're waiting to get the money from the insurance people.

"We've lost everything. So many things which we could not replace."

The couple, from Roehampton, were moving to the coast after 20 years of visiting for holidays.

They will stay at the Palm Court Hotel until their furniture is replaced and then move into their seaside flat.

Mrs Houghton, 60, who is blind and needs regular kidney dialysis treatment, said: "It is very sad. But we have to keep going. We have to keep happy."

A suspected electrical fault triggered the blaze.

Three removal men escaped but had to watch household items worth about £25,000 go up in smoke.

Among the flames were antique miniature buses Mr Houghton had been collecting since he was a child and carrier bags full of Mrs Houghton's beloved teddy bears. One of the few possessions not destroyed in the blaze was a wedding photograph that the hotel's deputy manager Sue Hines, who was helping with the move, was carrying in her car.

She was driving with Mr Houghton behind the van and said the couple's burned possessions littered the road.

She said: "We're getting there but they are still absolutely devastated and it's been a very long five days for them.

"There's been a lot of tears. They are so lovely you cannot help but like them. We are just trying to help them get moved."

Specialised equipment, including a talking alarm clock, an electric wheelchair and a CD player for the blind were also lost.

Mrs Houghton said: "I am getting over it and I'm looking forward to my life in Eastbourne."

Mr Houghton added: "We're being treated really well by the people in Eastbourne. They've all been really, really kind, especially the hotel. They've been marvellous."

Terry Mercer, owner of Edwins Removals, was driving the lorry when it caught fire.

Diana Mercer, who works at the firm's office in Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, said it was the only heavy removal lorry they had.

She said: "It's now just a matter of waiting. People are ringing and saying keep your chin up but the main thing is the Houghtons are being looked after and the insurance is in place.

"Because they are disabled everyone is jumping to it and sorting it out straight away.

"Nothing is going to change what happened. We're just thankful no one got killed."