Two people were taken to hospital on Sunday following a 'hazardous material incident' on Worthing seafront.

Police said both had been discharged and told to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.

They were among a small number of people in the Sussex coastal town who complained of sore eyes and vomiting at around midday.

A cordon was set up and a section of the beach was evacuated, with people told to avoid the area and lock windows and doors.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton wrote on Twitter the investigation was in response to reports of 'bathers affected by some sort of chemical type irritants'.

Part of Worthing Pier was evacuated after a suspected chemical spill has left people vomiting and and suffering from burning eyes this morning

Emergency services have set up a cordon along the seafront, and are advising locals to shut all windows and doors and avoid the area

Police used a drone as they investigated the possible chemical attack in Worthing this morning

Sussex Police tweeted just before 12.40pm: 'Emergency services are responding to a hazardous material incident in Worthing. A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting'. Pictured: Police use a drone to investigate

'They have both since been discharged, and advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower. Anyone else affected is advised to do the same – and use copious amounts of water to wash your eyes' the police continued. Picture: An officer set up a drone to investigate

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said at 4.10pm they had stood down and left the scene, adding that police would remain in the area to reassure the public.

A staff member at Coast Cafe said customers were calm and that 'a couple of people were complaining of itchy eyes'.

'They've cleared the seafront and we've got the windows closed and are locked in,' she added.

Former windsurfing world champion and Olympian Christine Johnston has run Kite, Surf and Sup Co for six years and was on the beach preparing kitesurfing lessons at 12.15pm when she and her students were told to leave by beach patrol.

'They came along on their buggy and said we should leave with immediate effect because there had been an incident,' she said.

'They said a few people had been hospitalised. They were covering their mouths with clothing.

'I did ask [what was happening] but they wouldn't comment.

'They told us they were going to go down the area affected, between Lancing and Worthing. We went up to the cafe and saw quite a lot of movement of police cars and an ambulance.

Were you in Worthing and affected? Email joe.middleton@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

'My eyes were a bit sore and itchy, and a friend who was on the beach said she felt her eyes were sore too.'

One woman told MailOnline: 'I was walking along Worthing beach at that time with my friend and her little girl, wondering what was going on and my eyes were feeling sore so we left the beach straight away.'

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called 'following reports that a small number of people were suffering sore eyes and vomiting on the beach at Worthing. We have sent an initial response but have no further information at this time'.

Coastguard were joined by police and ambulances at the pier this morning as people complained of stingy eyes and vomiting

The pier reopened at about 1.15pm but a cordon remains blocking off the seafront

Emergency services have set up a cordon along the seafront, and are advising locals to shut all windows and doors and avoid the area

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: 'WSFRS officers are continuing to work with multi partner agencies to assess the scene at Worthing seafront.'

One woman said her friend complained of sore eyes while they were enjoying a day out on the beach.

She wrote on Facebook: 'My friend complained of burning eyes this morning just after 11am while we were sitting on the beach.'

Another woman tweeted: 'Just left Worthing - my eyes were really sore - thought it was the wind!'

People took to social media to complain of feeling ill. One woman said her friend complained of sore eyes while they were enjoying a day out on the beach. She wrote on Facebook: 'My friend complained of burning eyes this morning just after 11am while we were sitting on the beach.'

Police said in a statement: 'We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to investigate the full circumstances. We will release more information as soon as we are able to.''

A police spokesman said: 'The investigation is ongoing and we will release more information as soon as we are able to'

A staff member at Coast Cafe said people were calm and that 'a couple of people were complaining of itchy eyes'. 'They've cleared the seafront and we've got the windows closed and are locked in,' she added

One person tweeted: 'Cycled right through Worthing, eyes were stinging, thought it was just the head on wind'

Sussex Police tweeted just before 12.40pm: 'Emergency services are responding to a hazardous material incident in Worthing.

In an updated statement at 2.50pm, police said they were continuing to respond to the incident.

They said: 'A cordon remains in place along the seafront between Grand Avenue and Windsor Road, and people are being advised to shut all windows and doors, or stay away from the area.

Police speak to members of the public after the pier was evacuated this morning

The scene in Worthing where a cloud has left beachgoers vomiting and with eye problem

Former windsurfing world champion and Olympian Christine Johnston has run Kite, Surf and Sup Co for six years and was on the beach preparing kitesurfing lessons at 12.15pm when she and her students were told to leave by beach patrol. Pictured: police and paramedics walk the beach to tell people to evacuate

Police said there were reports of vomiting and burning eyes along the seafront this morning

One person tweeted: 'Cycled right through Worthing, eyes were stinging, thought it was just the head on wind'. Pictured: Police evacuating holidaymakers

Police said they were continuing to respond to the incident shortly before three today

Police said 'We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to investigate the full circumstances. We will release more information as soon as we are able to.'

'A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting, two of whom were taken to hospital.

'They have both since been discharged, and advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.

'Anyone else affected is advised to do the same – and use copious amounts of water to wash your eyes.

'We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to investigate the full circumstances. We will release more information as soon as we are able to.'