Eyewitness on Eastbourne Pier fire

Eastbourne Pier has been evacuated as fire crews deal with a large blaze.

Photographs posted on social media sites show flames and thick black smoke pouring from the historic building on the East Sussex coast

The fire is thought to have started behind some wood panelling in a games arcade shortly after 15:00 BST.

Eyewitness Vinnie Swatridge, who works at a hotel near the pier, says smoke can be seen as far as Hastings.

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