More action is being pledged to tackle flood trouble spots in Mid Sussex as the mop-up operation continues.

Experts believe the spending of more than £2 million on improved drainage at vulnerable streams kept the damage to a minimum.

But they say more work needs to be done to head off future problems.

Large areas of the district have been under water and some homes were flooded.

The worst-hit areas included Damian Way in Hassocks, and Blackthorns and Hickmans Lane in Lindfield.

Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames has already taken up the case of families in Hickmans Lane, who had sandbags at their homes even before the latest deluge,.

Householders in Lower Church Road in Burgess Hill are awaiting the go-ahead to return to their houses after they were flooded with rain water and sewage.

The families have been staying in temporary accommodation while some attempt is made to dry out their homes.

But they have lost thousands of pounds' worth of possessions such as carpets and furniture wrecked by the water. It could be months before their homes are back to normal.

Mid Sussex Council said it had invested heavily on reducing the flood risk in known problem areas.

Council leader Christopher Snowling said: "We sympathise greatly with all those who have suffered hardship and distress from the recent flooding.

"The council has spent almost £2 million on stream improvements in recent years and this has largely paid off, as many areas which would have been heavily flooded ten years ago have escaped relatively lightly this time.

"However, we will continue to press the Environment Agency for urgent action for flood relief measures in these areas, and we will do our best to take action ourselves to reduce the impact of future flooding, with areas like Damian Way being top priority."