Enlarging the river channel through Lewes is just one of the options being considered to protect the town from major flooding.

Residents of the worst-hit town in the country during last year's floods are invited to discuss the options at a public meeting on Monday.

Various ideas have been put forward by the Environment Agency, the most radical of which would be to reconstruct the river channel enabling a larger volume of floodwater to pass through the town.

Another option would be to bore a tunnel beneath the South Downs or build an additional channel through the town to provide extra river capacity.

Other suggestions include a tidal barrage at Newhaven, an upstream flood storage facility to reduce peak river flows and a series of secondary defences such as floodwalls.

Rupert Chubb, flood defence manager for the agency, said: "This is the first phase of the consultation process where people can see the different options and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

"There is no quick fix to this problem and the solution could be any or a combination of several of the options. The average time to design and construct a major flood defence scheme is ten years."

Over the last nine months the Environment Agency has repaired existing defences, improved the flood warning system and completed emergency plans for the future.

A long-term solution is still being sought to ensure last year's deluge is never repeated.

The meeting will take place in Lewes Town Hall at 6.30pm.

There will be a staffed exhibition of the proposals from 2pm on Monday and between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, flood warnings will be phoned through to thousands of homes and businesses in the case of extreme weather.

One in ten householders in areas at risk of flooding have taken up an offer by the Environment Agency to inform them if flood watches, flood warnings are issued for rivers or sections of coastline near their homes.

The agency wrote to 40,000 homes and businesses in Sussex offering the automated service, which has so far been accepted by 4,422.

Regional flood warning officer Russell Turner said: "If you, your neighbours, friends or relatives were affected by the floods last autumn then you will know the misery flooding causes and how difficult it can be to cope.

"Receiving a flood warning direct to your home or business could give you the vital time you need to prepare."

Mr Turner urged anyone who had received a letter from the Environment Agency and not yet replied to take action and register for the free flood warning service by ringing Floodline on 0845 9881188.