East Sussex was back on flood alert today despite a break in the weather this morning.

The Environment Agency has put flood watches on rivers and exposed coastal areas.

A spokeswoman said there were flood warnings on the rivers Ouse, Uck and Cuckmere, and on Coombe Haven, Langney Haven and the Rother district, including Rye.

She warned: "It looks like there will be force six to eight winds today and tomorrow. We are expecting a storm to hit the coast. We are strengthening sea defences around the coast because the strong winds move shingle along at quite a rate."

Hellingly farmer Vanessa Minns, who was badly hit when the Cuckmere burst its banks last winter, said: "When the rain started on Saturday I was convinced we were going to be flooded again and I moved all the furniture out of the way.

"The fact we weren't is a real credit to the work of our Environment Agency catchment officer Peter Blackmore. He has worked hard to get money for work on the river. There is still a lot to be done though."

The Government has been criticised for cutting the flood defence budget in wake of last year's devastating floods. The Environment Agency is expected to spend £10 million over the next two years providing defences for areas prone to flooding, £2.5 million less than it expected.

For the latest on the flood alerts contact the agency's Floodline on 0845 9881188.