Many people in the East Sussex county town of Lewes are still feeling the effects of the devastating floods last autumn even though they happened nearly a year ago.

There is also concern that the same thing could happen again next month and that the authorities have not done enough in the meantime.

The problems in Lewes are so big that they simply could not be solved in less than a year even if the millions of pounds needed were available.

Over in Chichester, the West Sussex county town, it has taken five years to gain approval for a complicated scheme to prevent further flooding from the River Lavant.

But lessons were learned so that last year an emergency system was put into effect that prevented Chichester from being flooded despite record rain.

This year if there is a deluge, Lewes will be much better prepared than it was last October and may be able to avert a similar disaster.

But the long-term solution needs consultation, testing and financing before it can be put into effect.

There are still some families, such as Wendy McGowan-Griffin and her sons, who have not been able to move back into their homes following the floods.

Everyone who has suffered from flooding, no matter how minor, knows how unpleasant it can be.

The builders may have taken their time in drying out her home to make it fit for the family once again.

But when they move back into a freshly-restored home, they may feel it was worth the wait despite all the trauma of being in temporary housing for so long.