BBC Live: South East

1. News, sport, weather and travel updates from the South East of England

Huge blaze engulfs Worthing block

Eddie Mitchell

Ten fire engines were sent to the scene of the fire

Fire crews have been working through the night to tackle a huge blaze in West Sussex.

Roads were closed and people were told to avoid the area after the fire took hold at Rectory Road in Worthing at about 18:30 BST on Monday.

Two aerial ladder platforms and 10 fire engines fought to control the flames rising from a block of flats, shops and restaurants opposite the Thomas A Becket pub.

The fire service later tweeted that the blaze was "largely under control" and it would work through the night to damp down hot spots.

It said most roads would reopen for the morning rush hour though some nearby businesses would still be affected.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Eddie Mitchell

Drone footage showed the extent of the fire

Eddie Mitchell

Fire crews have been damping down hot spots following the fire

Goodbye from BBC South East Live

Thank you for joining us this week for all your breaking news, travel and weather.

We will be back after the bank holiday weekend, on Tuesday 28 August.

But in the meantime, if you feel there's anything we need to know, you can contact us via email, Facebook and Twitter.

Retail space to undergo redevelopment

Huw Oxburgh

Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to extend and redevelop a retail space in East Sussex have been approved by planners.

At a meeting on Thursday, Wealden District Council planners approved plans for a series of changes to The Seed House in Bell Lane, Uckfield.

The changes include plans for ground and first floor extensions to the building, dividing its current retail space into two new shops and a veterinary surgery.

Three first-floor flats would also be provided as part of the scheme.

Before making a decision, the committee heard arguments in support of the application from planning agent Oliver Neagle as well as arguments against from local councillor Claire Dowling, who raised concerns about the loss of parking spaces.

Bank holiday weather forecast

John Hammond

Weather forecaster

Here's my forecast...

Waste disposal charges coming in

Huw Oxburgh

Local Democracy Reporter

Rubbish tips in East Sussex will soon start charging for the disposal of non-household waste.

According to East Sussex County Council, its Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will soon begin charging to dispose of certain types of non-household waste - including soil, asbestos and tyres.

While the principle of charging for waste disposal was approved by the council's cabinet in June, details of the final scheme and pricing were revealed on Thursday.

The council says it will charge £4 to dispose of each bag of soil, hardcore and plasterboard, while tyre disposal will be charged at £2 per item.

Meanwhile, disposal of bonded asbestos will be charged at £6 per bag or sheet. The charges are expected to come into force within the next month.

Victim details disclosed in police blunder

Albion fans criticise 'ridiculous' flask ban

Brighton and Hove Albion fans are angry at new rules banning flasks from the Amex Stadium.

The club plans to ban glass and metal bottles from the stadium from 1 September for "safety and security" reasons, and to bring the ground in line with other stadiums around the country.

But fans have branded the ban "ridiculous" and "petty".

They say it will affect older supporters who enjoy a hot drink, and have accused the club of putting profit above people.

Japan-themed bar 'culturally insensitive'

Police chief on 'anger' over travellers

Council agrees to sell listed building despite protest

Historians have lost their last-ditch effort to save a Grade II-listed building in Rochester High Street.

This comes after cabinet members agreed to sell the council-owned Conservancy building as it was deemed to be "surplus" to requirements.

Medway Council plans to sell the annexe of the Guildhall museum to fund maintenance of other historical buildings, such as the Corn Exchange.

Members of the City of Rochester Society and Friends of the Guildhall Museums appealed to the council to reconsider this decision, which they argue would put free educational facilities under a "paywall".

When the Conservancy building closes the council say the 8,000 artefacts will be moved to the Guildhall or the East House, which charges for entry.

Liverpool beat Brighton to go top

By Gary Rose

BBC Sport

Billings criticises 'snot-heap' pitch

Calls for police protection after assaults

BBC

Campaigners are calling for police officers to be given more protection after more than a thousand assaults were recorded by Kent Police last year.

On Wednesday the force released footage of a man throwing a 10kg dumbbell at officers - he's now been jailed for five years.

According to the Home Office 189 assaults resulted in an officer being injured in the last year.

Champions League match schedule & BBC coverage