NEW FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM

The device will be placed in the High Street near Peacocks. When needed, the display will change to one of four messages: All Clear, Flood Watch, Flood Warning or Severe Flood Warning.

In October 2000, heavy rain left Uckfield in the grip of the worst flooding crisis for decades.

The River Uck burst its banks and the town was among the worst hit areas with 180 millimetres of rain falling in 72 hours.

Since then people in the town have been campaigning for flood defences.

Andrew Gilham, Sussex Area Flood Risk Manager from the Environment Agency, said: 'We are close to finishing it off and it is so people using the High Street can get an up-to-date report.'

Mr Gilham added this was totally independent to any other scheme and would not affect the proposal for a river walk.

He said: 'Our concerns regarding the river walk are of a public safety point of view. There is no safe means of access. The river is very flashy and things could change while people are out walking, even if they had checked the flood warning system before they set off. There is not really an escape path.'

The Environment Agency is still in negotiations with Somerfield over building a flood defence wall.

The Agency has agreed to fund a low wall at the back of the supermarket car park. Building due to start in January is on hold as Somerfield is asking for more compensation than is available from Environment Agency funds.

Mr Gilham said: 'We are waiting to reach a compromise but we have had a positive discussions with Somerfield.'