The clean-up operation after the storms that hit the county was continuing today - as experts warned more bad weather is heading for Sussex.

Insurers estimate the repair bill after yesterday's gales will run into millions of pounds.

Across the county, thousands of homes were battered by winds which gusted up to 80mph. RNLI staff and police rescued 30 people stranded by flood waters in a caravan park in Selsey.

Beach huts in Goring and Hove were smashed into splinters by waves and winds that ripped them from their bases as small boats were lifted from the beaches and flung on to pavements.

Major roads were blocked by fallen trees and debris, including the A27 at Fontwell, the A259 at Shoreham and the A26 between Lewes and Horsted, while a bus was blown off the road in Worthing and schools were closed.

There were also power cuts in the Lewes area as police took hundreds of calls from shocked members of the public.

Gill Standing, whose barn in Henfield was destroyed by what was reported to be a tornado, said: "It was like something from the Wizard of Oz.

"It's a nightmare. The barn has been completely trashed. It's an absolute mess."