Firefighters were hailed heroes last year when they helped scores of people whose homes were devastated by floods in Lewes and Uckfield.

Some lost their cars or had them badly damaged as they tackled the rising water.

Now they have been told they will not be fully compensated by the brigade.

Many of these men were part-timers who dropped what they were doing to tackle the emergency as they always do, be it fire or floods.

They are right to be aggrieved at being out of pocket when they gave loyal and unstinting help to communities in desperate trouble.

The firefighters also claim East Sussex Fire Authority has gone back on its word to offer compensation.

East Sussex Fire Brigade took out insurance to cover firefighters' personal financial loss in the buildings and it did make some ex gratia payments to cover car loss.

But it's plainly not enough. Firefighters want to know that when they face danger, they will be properly compensated for personal loss.

It wouldn't cost much for members of the authority to honour their pledge and they should do so right away.