Flood misery

The driver and her passenger were able to get out of the car but the water level continued to rise '“ half an hour later the Rover was 3.5 ft submerged, with just 1.5ft free of the water.

Sussex Police sealed offthe notorious flood pointbeneath the Westcourt Drive railway bridge near the junction with Cooden Drive.

A roadside marker near to the car indicated the height the water had reached.

Sgt Trish Reeves Fowkes of the Neighbourhood Police team commented: "This is an ongoing problem. At least ten years ago East Sussex Highways department erected a measure board to show people driving from either direction what the height of the water is. It is just a shame people don't pay attention to it '“ it makes me angry."

She added: "The police are receiving quite a few calls about flooding '“in Little Common Road, Peartree Lane, Turkey Road, and Crowhurst Lane."