More villages prone to flooding are to get specialist help to solve their drainage problems.

The plan follows the success of a group formed at Barnham, near Littlehampton, which has been under water several times in recent years after flooded drains blocked roads and damaged homes.

A drainage group now meets several times a year made up of experts from councils, the Environment Agency, Southern Water and West Sussex County Council's highways department.

The aim is to try to pinpoint areas where drainage could be a problem during severe weather conditions.

Now similar groups could be formed for other high-risk areas to examine issues such as ditches that need clearing to keep water flowing instead of spilling out and causing chaos.

Derrick Fawcett, head of the county council's highways department, said the various agencies did not just meet during times of crisis.

He said: "There is continual liaison regarding flooding and drainage issues and it is important all parties co-operate, sharing knowledge of problems with the aim of finding long- term solutions."

Among the areas where high-priority drainage schemes are taking place during the current financial year is Findon, near Worthing, which in March was flooded with slurry which ran off farm fields during torrential rain.

The county council says it is also using closed-circuit TV to carry out surveys of drains which could cause problems.