A flood-ravaged charity shop has reopened after six months of building work and refurbishment.

The Help the Aged shop in Cliffe High Street, Lewes, was submerged by the swollen River Ouse last October.

The shop had to have new floorboards and carpets fitted, along with new fixtures, fittings and stock.

Help the Aged spokeswoman Emma Heley said: "It took three to four months before the shop had even dried out.

"The floods were a big blow to us. Staff and volunteers hope they will be supported locally again. We lost a lot of money in terms of trading.

"Our volunteers have been brilliant. Some gave us a hand at other shops and all of them have come back to us now the shop has reopened."

On Thursday the first customer to the shop, Carol Moore of Hillman Close, Lewes, cut the ribbon to herald a new chapter in the shop's ten-year history.

Customers flocked to the reopening, with more than 150 visitors in one day.

Stock has been provided for the store via Help the Aged's collection programme, which involves volunteers picking up donations door to door.

However, now the shop is back in business, it needs donations from customers to fill the shelves again.

Six months after the floods devastated shops and homes in Lewes, the worst-affected businesses are slowly starting to reopen.

The Christian Aid Resource Centre opened its doors this week after furniture, carpets, resource materials and paperwork were lost.

Staff at Cliffe Veterinary Group, Cliffe High Street, are still working out of temporary buildings due to flood damage in the main building.

They hope to move back in this month.