A beach has been left to “natural management” as its flood defences have been undermined due to storms.

Climping seafront is a hotspot for flooding and its sea defences are “knackered”, residents say.

Pictures show the state of the defences as Arun District Council and the Environment Agency have decided to let the beach be managed naturally.

The area can no longer rely on hard sea defences like sea walls.

And with a Met Office thunderstorm warning is in place for much of Sussex, the coast will be hit by wind and rain overnight.

Officials have extended the alert for thunderstorms to include Climping beach from 8pm to 5am tomorrow.

People are told that there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes or hail.

There is also a small chance that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could cause “danger to life”.

The Environment Agency has previously moved shingle to bolster the beach’s flood defences.

A spokesman for the national organisation said: “Our local team is removing any timber groynes that pose a risk to safety. This work will continue into the summer.

“We would urge local people to always check their flood risk online at www.gov.uk/flood or via Floodline: 0345 988 1188.”