A flooding hotspot is being used as a base for a training exercise for the Environment Agency.

Exercise Rabid Seal will kick off tomorrow in and around Lewes to help test the agency’s operational response in the event of serious flooding across the south east.

Work will include using flood barriers and sandbags and setting up an incident command unit.

Lewes was chosen as it is a high risk area and was the victim of serious flooding in 2000.

Bases will also be set up in Aylesford and Oxford, which have also had major problems in the past.

The real-time exercise will give staff a chance to handle plants and equipment such as flood gates and improve general response in protecting local communities who are at a more vulnerable risk from the devastating effects of flooding.

Flood risk officer Anna Taylor said: “We test our teams throughout the year to ensure team members know what they need to do and that all equipment is fully operational and ready for action should we need to do this for real.

“This exercise is an excellent opportunity to put our experience and knowledge to the test so we can better understand our response to flooding.”

Currently one in six homes across England and Wales is at risk.

Details about how to protect homes and businesses and what areas could be affected can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodsoutheast.

Dance the night away MUSIC lovers have been urged to buy tickets for a sixties disco before they run out.

The event at Ditchling Village Hall on October 26 will feature Brighton DJ Tommy the Legend, playing the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Kinks and the Supremes, among many others.

Tickets are £12 and include light refreshments. They can be bought from Ditchling Post Office and Parkers Newsagents.

The charity Fauna amd Flora International, backed by Sir David Attenborough, will benefit from the gig, with this year's proceeds going towards threatened primates.