Flooding could wreck one in six homes in Brighton and Hove but council officials have not drawn up any plan to avert the potential disaster.

As gusts of up to 66mph were predicted to hit the south coast last night, it emerged that the city is one of the most at risk areas in the country.

The Government said a period of heavy rainfall combined with the limited drainage network in the area could see floodwater damaging more than 22,500 homes.

Brighton and Hove City Council was awarded £275,000 in August to develop a surface water management plan - the second largest amount given to a local authority by the Government to deal with the issue - but three months on a plan has still not been drawn up.

Opposition councillors said the local authority was not responding quick enough to the potential threat.

A council spokeswoman said the authority was working on a "robust" plan to protect residents’ homes and businesses.

West Sussex County Council is already taking steps to check for flood damage.

Following the structural damage to bridges in Cumbria, the local authority revealed yesterday it will send out divers to check its crossings in the next few days.