Plans to prevent another disaster in flood-prone Lewes have been criticised by residents.

Worried householders and business people have told the Environment Agency its flood protection plans are not good enough to prevent a repeat of the disastrous floods of October 2000.

Lewes Flood Action has studied the outline proposals for the town's future protection and insists they raise more questions than they answer.

Chairman Paul Mockford said: "What is needed is an assurance to people that Lewes will be given a fair deal. But we haven't got it."

The group says it has been taken aback by what appears to be "inadequate, arbitrary and inconsistent" proposals.

The plan divides the town into eight "cells", five of which would be protected by raised river walls but to widely differing degrees.

The other three less central areas would have no increased protection at all.

Mr Mockford said: "This means large parts of Lewes would not meet the standards of flood protection required by the Association of British Insurers.

"It's not much use relying solely on raising the river walls anyway. There are other things, such as downstream water storage, which need to be done."

The group said there was also widespread public alarm at the way the plans appeared to be being pushed through without consultation.

The Environment Agency said the plan was the best long-term solution for the area but promised a public meeting to fully discuss the proposals.