Thousands of pounds in aid money has poured into a fund for a town's flood-hit traders.

An appeal fund was set up by Uckfield Town Council less than a month ago but already stands at more than £6,000.

So far about 90 donations, including a sum from Uckfield's twin town of Quickborn in Germany, have been made.

The money is to go to traders and businesses which suffered when the River Uck burst its banks last month causing extensive floods and damage costing millions of pounds.

Many small firms and shops were uninsured while others have lost weeks of takings because of damaged properties.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are very pleased with the amount of money coming in.

"People have been very generous. We have had donations from local people as well as other from across the country and even abroad.

"The next thing is to appoint the trustees who will decide where the money will go."

The money has so far been collected and put in a non-charitable trust.

Many shops at the south end of Uckfield High Street are still closed due to the extent of the damage.

Mayor Mike Skinner has suggested that the shops at the bottom of the High Street should be moved further up to avoid further disasters.

The idea would involve shifting the shops in Bell Walk up the hill and creating a shopping centre on the Luxford Field car park.

Other councillors are calling for an improvement in flood defences.

A public meeting to discuss flooding will be held at Uckfield Civic Centre on November 29. It is hoped that Wealden MP Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith will chair the meeting.