Sussex was mopping up today after the worst floods in living memory caused millions of pounds of damage.

Insurance claims have already started pouring into offices from the hundreds of people who have seen homes, business and schools wrecked or damaged.

Ruined carpets, furniture and in some cases entire buildings are expected to push the total amount of claims to several million pounds.

Peter Staddon, technical manager for the British Insurance Brokers Association, said: "Industry, businesses and homes have suffered millions of pounds damage - but our advice is not to panic.

"Do what you can to protect valuables and call insurance agents promptly. We can help with the clearing up."

Mr Staddon said the big losers would be those without insurance - some 23 per cent of all homes.

Weather conditions were expected to improve today but Sussex Police and the Environment Agency warned that the danger was not yet past.

Fields, towns, villages and roads were still flooded and several rivers continued to overflow.

Sussex Police ran out of "Road Closed" signs and both East and West Sussex fire brigades took hundreds of emergency calls.

Lewes town centre was submerged.

Part of the historic home of Harveys brewery in Lewes collapsed and several people suffered minor injuries.

The East Sussex Fire Brigade control room in North Street was evacuated, along with other buildings and homes.

The River Ouse overflowed from Barcome to the sea and the entire Cliffe area of Lewes was under water. Some evacuees sought shelter at Lewes Town Hall.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "There has been nothing like this in living memory."

More than 70 homes in Bevendean, Brighton, were flooded and 500 sandbags were delivered to shore up defences. Three tankers pumped water and two diggers cleared mud and debris.

Bevendean Primary School will remain shut for a week and possibly longer while repairs and cleaning are carried out. The school's boiler room and floor were damaged.

The Argus assisted with one dramatic rescue. Photographer Simon Dack came across farmer John Harmer and his wife, who became marooned in fields at Monks Lane, Lewes, as they tried to herd cattle to safety.

He called emergency services and the couple were airlifted to higher ground by a coastguard helicopter.

The Brighton lifeboat was transported to Uckfield to assist with rescues in the flooded town centre.

There was one report of looting in Uckfield but the thief got more than he bargained for.

He was loading a trolley with food in a supermarket in the High Street when he was spotted.

PC Chris McNeil commandeered a JCB and drove through floods to tell the youth: "You're nicked."

Superintendent John Dransfield said: "Chris gets full marks for his initiative."