FLOODING caused a road to be closed and properties to be deluged with water this morning.

Fire crews went to Westcourt Road in Broadwater, Worthing, at about 4.15am.

Engineers from Southern Water were then called to fix a burst main that led to a pavement subsiding and properties being rapidly flooded.

Pavilion Road was also closed for a while.

The main was fixed by 6.35am but workers remained on scene as part of a clean-up.

Martin Haynes, the owner of PSA Precision, a double-glazing company based next to the burst pipe, said it was a "nightmare".

He said: "This is the fourth time we have been flooded.

"We had just literally got ourselves recarpeted and back together after last time but now it's happened again.

"It won't cost me, it'll cost Southern Water, but the point is it's just grief and hassle.

"It's par for the course - you just wait for it to happen.

"It would be nice if we didn't have to expect it. It's been a nightmare."

Nadia Daved, who works at B&W Convenience Store across the road, said: "I just opened the door and there was water and mud all over the floor. It was about this deep [indicating about three inches with her fingers]. I spent three hours cleaning it up."

A spokeswoman for Southern Water said: "A nine-inch PVC main burst in the early hours of this morning between Westcourt Road and South Farm Road. Our crews were on site within half an hour.

"South Farm Road has been cleared and is now re-open. Westcourt Road remains closed while the repairs are ongoing. We expect this to be completed around lunchtime today.

"No customer is without water, but unfortunately there has been minor flooding to five commercial properties in the area. Our customer service team is on-site speaking to all those affected.

"We apologise for any inconvenience."

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "At 4.15am emergency services were called to a burst water main in Westcourt Road, Broadwater, Worthing, which quickly flooded nearby properties and caused the pavement to subside.

"Police and highways officials closed nearby roads. Southern Water engineers attended and shut valves to prevent further flooding. Water had receded by around 6.30am."

Local Worthing councillor Kevin Jenkins was on the scene.

He said: "We want to make sure businesses are being supported. The impact on them is immeasurable really. Now it's about getting the conversation going with Southern Water to find out the cause and make sure there isn't a re-occurance."