DRONE footage has shown the huge extent of flooding at a beauty spot.

Waters have risen at Cuckmere Haven between Seaford and Birling Gap after heavy autumn rainfalls.

There are fears that shingle has blocked the Cuckmere river, which has affected business in the area with floods.

Last month residents said the situation was “critical” and said there was “dismay” over the Environment Agency’s refusal to dredge the river.

Friends of Cuckmere Haven held a meeting, where various speakers suggested that the river could be dredged by the Water Level Management Board or the South Downs National Park.

The meeting was “jammed full” at the Plough and Harrow pub at Litlington.

Minutes state: “There was a universal feeling that the situation was critical – meanders completely flooded, the canoe barn flooded and closed down, livestock moved for safety and flooding increasing every day from Alfriston downstream.”

Meanwhile MP Maria Caulfield also called for the area to be dredged, to stop floods when the river is in spate.

But despite the concern of villagers, farmers, and businesses the Environment Agency has said it will not spend public funds to dredge the river unless there is a flood risk to people’s homes.

In 2007, the cost of dredging was estimated to be £50,000, it was reported.