Hundreds watch fire training exercise at cathedral

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets surrounding Chichester Cathedral to watch a simulated fire.

The training exercise, which included synthetic smoke coming from the landmark, took place on Monday from 19:00 BST to 23:00.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was joined by Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and West Sussex Highways in the training scenario.

The aim of the exercise was to test the emergency procedures in place for incidents involving the cathedral.

West Sussex County Council said, as guided by ornithological experts, fire crews worked away from the north east turret of the cathedral as to not disrupt peregrine falcons that could have been nesting there.

Residents were invited to watch, but warned of several road closures ahead of the event.