ONE HUNDRED motorists have been rescued from flood water over the past two days as the county’s rivers burst their banks.

As flooding racked rural Sussex earlier this week numerous drivers got stuck as they ambitiously tried getting through floodwater which was too deep.

Volunteer group 4x4 Assist said they estimate there have been 100 rescues and are urging drivers to “not underestimate” floodwater.

Using their large vehicles they provide transport, vehicle recovery and emergency services assistance during adverse weather.

On Monday when the River Cuckmere burst its banks they were out in force delivering sandbags and rescuing stranded motorists.

Volunteer Paul Gibson, from Bexhill, who runs Sussex Air Imaging in his day job, said they have been very busy since they formed in November.

The 40-year-old said: “We came across an incident where a lady had driven into floodwater and got stuck, so we made sure she was safe.

“We also went to a scene in Bexhill where there was a BMW stuck in the middle of the road. We rescued the driver and again made the scene safe and made sure no one else drove into the area.”

Mr Gibson added everyone underestimates how easily cars can get stuck, urging people not to try driving through floodwater. He said drivers who get stuck should call the emergency services.

He said they are now monitoring the flooding across the county as more rain and high tides are forecast for the coming days.

Cars can be floated in just a foot of water and get stuck.

As of last night, four flood alerts from the Environment Agency remained in place in the county – with one flood warning for the Cuckmere river at Hellingly and Horsebridge.

The alerts were in place for Coombe Haven, the Cuckmere at Arlington, the River Uck at Uckfield and the Upper Ouse north of Newick.

The Met Office has also issued a severe weather warning for the county with up to 20mm of rain estimated and a warning for "surface water flooding affecting road travel at times".

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Please remain vigilant to changes in the weather as the river is very responsive and conditions could change rapidly.

“Environment Agency teams are maintaining assets and monitoring the overall situation and this message will be updated this evening or as the situation changes.”

4x4 Assist are also appealing for more owners of 4x4 vehicles and support staff to get involved as volunteers.

For more information visit 4x4assist.co.uk.