A Swedish inventor has visited Lewes to demonstrate a device he believes could help turn the tide in flood prevention.

Sten-Magnus Kullberg showed his re-usable Pallet Barrier flood control system to representatives from Sussex councils.

Mr Kullberg said: "The system is based on a galvanised steel frame designed to support wooden pallets.

"The frame and pallets are covered by a reinforced flexible plastic membrane to stop water passing through.

"It creates a dam with a height of 95cm (3ft 1.5in) and has two extension levels raising the height to 1.25m (4ft 1.25in) and 1.8m (5ft 11in).

"The barrier is self-anchoring. The high pressure of the water pushing against the pallets, in combination with the friction against the ground, keeps everything in place, even on surfaces which are a bit uneven.

"The force on the ground is not great as the barrier is at a 45 degree angle, so the water is forced into the slant.

"There is minimal damage left underneath when the barrier has been dismantled and folded away for use another day.

"This is a big difference from the impact made by using sandbags where ground often needs extensive restoration work afterwards.

"The barrier can be set up over long stretches of land. More than 1,500m (1,640yds) of barrier were deployed in the town of Arvika in Sweden last winter to protect a housing estate and a shopping area."

Mr Kullberg's company, Geodesign, has distributed the barrier to countries including Sweden, Germany and France. He has also had orders from Australia.

He invented the system in the late Nineties.

He said: "It is the most popular re-usable flood prevention system in the world. Many thousands of metres of barrier have been used to prevent flooding in recent years.

"It's simplicity is a major appeal. One person can assemble up to 200m (219yds) of pallet barrier a day, mainly because it is light weight."

Lindsay Frost, director of planning and environmental services for Lewes District Council, who watched the demonstration, said: "We are working with the Environment Agency on how to improve the flood defences in the area.

"We are looking at how to store water to prevent it getting to Lewes, how to smooth out the peaks of water coming this way by holding it up-stream, ways to speed water through the town either by widening the river or by building a channel or tunnel and the possibility of a tidal barrage preventing water coming up from the sea.

"Some combination of all these things might be the way to go. It could be four or five years to deliver things like this because of the work and consultation needed.

"We are happy to look at any temporary option to help while we sort out longer-term measures. My concern about the barrier system would be if we have enough time to erect it over a substantial length.

"Last year we had two hours between receipt of the flood warning and the major flood. In that time, we had to prioritise getting people out of the way of danger.

"I can see it would be very good on longer rivers but I am not convinced the Ouse would give us enough time to put it up.

"In areas such as ours, the main benefit would be to make an island of a particular building.

"But we have no plans to introduce it in Lewes."

Bernie Gorringe, highway management officer East Sussex County Council, had similar reservations.

He said: "The system is another tool that can be used in the right places and at the right time to good effect.

"It seems to work very well in Sweden and Germany but whether it could be applied to Lewes is another matter."