Warning sirens will not be used to sound the flooding alert in Lewes, says a top councillor.

East Sussex Cabinet councillor Bob Tidy ruled out the system, saying he agreed with emergency services the system would be expensive and unpredictable.

He said householders and businesses should instead join the Environment Agency's automatic voice message system, which is widely used.

There had been calls for sirens in Lewes to give advance warning of any emergency following the severe flooding last autumn.

But a study conducted by the county council, together with Lewes District Council, the Environment Agency and the emergency services advised against the plan.

The study found the advantages of a siren-type system, which is only used by three other towns in England and Wales, would be outweighed by the disadvantages.

Coun Tidy said planning to cope with future floods, involving local councils, the Environment Agency and the emergency services, would continue.