Robertsbridge escapes serious flooding

The region was battered by heavy rain on Sunday and Monday, flooding fields in Robertsbridge and putting villagers on alert as the river filled up.

The Environment Agency were on the scene overnight on Monday, working by floodlight to pump the water away.

Cllr Sue Prochak, of Robertsbridge, said: "There was concern.

"Thank goodness it stopped in the afternoon, otherwise it would have been over the banks."

The Environment Agency issued Flood Watch warnings for the Rivers Rother and Combe Haven and there was localised flooding throughout rural Rother.

Some roads, already left with numerous potholes following the snow and ice earlier in the year, were also found underwater.

One of the worst affected roads was the A21 at Sedlescombe, which was once again hit by flash flooding.

Fire crews from The Ridge at Hastings had to rescue a motorist who was stuck in his car and police deemed the road to be so hazardous, it was closed from 3.30pm until 8pm.

Traffic was redirected, causing huge jams during the evening rush hour.

It was the second time that day Hastings fire crews had been called to Sedlescombe.

A crew from the Bohemia station spent at an hour at Sedlescombe Golf Club following reports of flooding in the building at 11.30am.

Meanwhile Battle fire crews were busy elsewhere in the county, rescuing a horse at Cowbeech,with the technical rescue unit in the morning and, later, responding to reports of flooding in Cooden Beach and also in Vale Road, Hastings.