Parts of Lewes Prison are "inhumane" and should be closed immediately, according to a new independent report.

The damning verdict on the East Sussex prison comes in a report from its Board of Visitors, a volunteer watchdog group.

It singles out the segregation unit for particular criticism, saying there is poor ventilation and natural light and a problem with damp.

It also says it is too easy to access bars in the unit's cells, from which prisoners have hanged themselves.

No electricity

Five prisoners committed suicide in the jail last year, giving it the worst prison suicide rate in the country.

Two hanged themselves in the segregation unit, criticised in the report.

The category B prison was built in 1853 and houses around 500 inmates.

A quarter of the inmates share cells designed for one person.

New wing

F Wing, which is used to hold vulnerable prisoners including sex offenders, is criticised by the Board of Visitors for not meeting fire regulations and not having electricity in its cells.

An application has been admitted to the Prison Service for a �20m building programme, which would see F Wing refurbished and a new wing built.

Despite the criticism of the conditions at Lewes the report praises the prison's staff, saying they have turned it round from a failing prison to one achieving its objectives.

The Home Office said it would respond in due course after giving the report careful consideration.