A Sussex farmer saved more than a hundred people from a devastating flood in their homes by using his stack of hay to bale them out.

Chris Maher Loughnan was quick to the rescue when a flash-flood burst the banks of a stream .

The residents came close to becoming one of the many victims of the floods as the county yesterday edged towards a catastrophe on a scale of the flooding in October 2000.

Mr Maher Loughnan, of Southdown Farm, Hassocks, built a wall of hay, barricading his neighbours' homes.

Water had to be pumped from three houses and five outhouses in Lodge Lane and Dale Avenue but firefighters said Mr Maher Loughlan's actions saved the other properties.

The makeshift wall, fitted into gateways and driveways, stopped the water and the bulk of the deluge was channelled back to its source.

Mr Maher Loughnan was hailed a hero by his neighbours after a drainage stream burst its banks shortly after 10.30am yesterday. Grills that protect the stream were blocked with branches.

Mr Maher Loughlan said: "You would not believe how much water there was. It came up right over the bridge, which is about 8ft from the normal level of the water.

"I rushed to get the bales as quickly as I could. I wasn't really thinking - I just knew I had to stop the water."

Sub Officer Trevor Daley, commander of Keymer fire station, said: "We were on the scene almost immediately but had to wait for sandbags from Bognor. The grounds of 42 properties were affected.

"We were able to remedy the situation quickly, thanks to the assistance of Chris."

Tony Heather, 49, of Lodge Lane, said: "I looked out of the window to see water gushing down the road. I've been meaning to build a garden wall for a while - now it's accelerated to the top of my list."

His wife, Maureen, 50, said: "Chris is our hero. He and the firefighters were wonderful."

One resident, who didn't want to be named, had to have water pumped from her garage.

She said: "My house is on the lowest ground so we tend to get the worst flooding.

"I would like to ask anyone with streams or trenches in their gardens to make sure they are clear as any blockages can make flooding worse."