Three streets were turned into a swamp when a water main burst and flooded gardens.

Emergency services dubbed the scene "Saltdean Lido" as a torrent of muddy water deluged roads including Coombe Vale and Saltdean Vale in Saltdean, Brighton.

Firefighters spent more than two hours pumping away up to 4,000 gallons per minute after the flooding at 12.20pm yesterday.

Residents' back gardens in Saltdean Vale and four houses around the corner in Tumulus Road disappeared under 1ft of water from the burst main on the corner of Westfield Avenue North and Coombe Vale.

Keith Richardson, 66, of Tumulus Road, was among the worst-hit because much of the water flowed towards his house.

Mr Richardson returned from shopping in Longridge Avenue to find his home now had a moat. He said: "I was worried that it was not slowing. It didn't reach into the house but what about the foundations?

"The insurance company will be negotiating. I will be seeking compensation."

PC Darren Balkham, of Brighton police, waded through ankle-deep water to reassure people and make sure elderly residents were all right.

He said: "We're calling it Saltdean Lido. The residents have been great. They all seem in good spirits."

Southern Water spokeswoman Jane Kelly said up to 2,000 houses had their water supply cut off.

She could not say what caused the burst but added it was not connected to works earlier in the month at Coombe Vale.