Two years and £70,000 after their home was wrecked by flooding, a Sussex couple are still counting the cost of the damage.

Despite living in a hotel room and renting a flat for a year while their bungalow was restored, Jennifer and Roy Lodge are being forced to move out again after being told their electricity supply is dangerous and their water pipes could burst at any moment.

The bungalow in Lewes Road, Halland, near Lewes, was flooded during the storms of October 2000.

The water was so high it poured over the tops of the waders worn by firefighters called in to help pump it out.

Everything from photographs to clothes was destroyed.

Property insurer Prudential appointed loss adjuster Cunnigham and Lindsey to assess the damage and oversee building work.

Despite moving back home in November 2001, Mr and Mrs Lodge have been told the repairs left the plumbing and electricity in a dangerous condition.

Next month, they must move out again for three weeks while a further £15,000 of work is done to restore their home.

Mrs Lodge, 55, is distraught.

She said: "We lost everything in the flood. It was a terrible time and I even had to take time off work for stress.

"The last two years have been a nightmare.

"So often we just want to walk out and never come back. But this is our home so we have no choice but to stay."

Mr and Mrs Lodge noticed problems with the plumbing in November last year when a burst pipe in the loft caused water to pour through the light fittings in the ceiling.

Then, in April 2002, they realised something was wrong with the electricity supply when Mrs Lodge got an electric shock from a light switch.

An electrician told the couple extensive work was needed to make the property safe because unsuitable cable had been used. Some of the house lights do not work and they have been warned not to use too many power sockets.

Mrs Lodge said: "I don't feel safe in my home and always think I can smell burning."

Prudential has offered to compensate Mr and Mrs Lodge for the inconvenience caused.

A spokesman said: "The service provided was well below our normal high standards. We are doing our utmost to rectify the situation. We are in discussions about fair compensation."