Shopkeepers in flood-ravaged Uckfield spoke of their "utter despair" at the damage to their businesses today.

Traders were helpless as their shops were flooded by 4ft of water after it became the area worst hit by overnight rain storms.

Mayor Mike Skinner said: "Our entire industrial estate of about 400 businesses has been flooded out, as well as around 30 shops in the town centre."

The new owners of the town's Cock and Bull pub saw it flooded out and will have to restart the business from scratch.

Nigel and Tara Bean have owned the pub just three months.

Mr Bean, 35, said: "This is the worst flooding I have ever seen around here and I have lived in the area quite a while.

"When we realised how bad and how deep the water was going to get, we had a sense of complete panic. There was really nothing we could do."

Mrs Bean, 25, speaking from the flooded pub saloon, said: "Everything is ruined, our furniture and all our stock worth literally thousands and thousands of pounds.

"At one point the water was actually as deep as the bar itself. It has started to recede since then, but it's going to be at least a week before we can reopen."

The general manager of Caffyns Rover garage said at least 12 cars parked on his forecourt would have to be written off.

At least two cars floated off the forecourt towards the railway line, which was also closed.

Councillor Skinner said: "The fire station is shut because of flooding and we are having to rely on using the civic centre as a temporary fire station.

"Luckily, domestic residences have not been too badly affected but there is flotsam and jetsam everywhere and one of the problems we have now is that children are picking up chocolate bars that have been washed out of stores and are eating them.

"We are obviously concerned about problems such as this for heath reasons as the water is not clean."

He added: "Two district council workman who were laying sandbags had to be rescued from the roof of their vehicle after they became stranded.

"If we get any more rain like we have had for the last three days we will be in trouble."