COUNTY COUNCILLORS URGED TO BACK CAMPAIGN

Cllr Roger Thomas is telling his colleagues that the campaign, backed by Lewes Flood Action, is designed to bring pressure on the Chancellor to change his views on defence funding.

And he added: 'We have major problems both in fluvial flooding and coastal flooding, so this is a pressing problem for the East Sussex.

'This is beyond party politics.

'All over the country people are supporting this campaign.

'Please send a letter to the Chancellor or to me to be forwarded. Also ask any friends or colleagues to sign up.

'Help a campaign that is vital to East Sussex.'

The sort of letter Cllr Thomas has in mind reads in part:

'Dear Chancellor,

'Flooding of homes and businesses leaves a trail of devastation in people's lives.

'Our local community has already suffered badly, and this will happen again unless we act now.

'A national assessment of needs for flood defences, commissioned by the Government last year, predicts that the current level of funding will fall short of what is needed by 700 million in the next 10 years.

'The Treasury determines the level of national income spent on flood defences. We need you to increase investment in this vital area to match the demand.'

Cllr Thomas in due course will also be asking the county council to support Lewes MP Norman Baker's motion in the House of Commons on the same subject.