Work has begun on a £14 million project to help stop flooding in Lewes.

A tunnel which will hold almost two million litres of storm water is being built in the town.

The tunnel will also help improve water quality in local streams and rivers.

After any storms or heavy rainfall the water collected will be pumped to a treatment centre in Newhaven.

At the moment the excess water is released into the River Ouse and other local watercourses via 20 combined sewer overflows, which can affect water quality.

The 1.15km tunnel will be just over a metre wide.

It has been funded by Southern Water and will be constructed by Black and Veatch, with partners Costain.

Existing sewers in the town centre are also being enlarged in a bid to protect the town which was devastated by floods in October 2000.

Two tunnel-boring machines are drilling into the ground to connect six existing 20m deep shafts.

They are using techniques to minimise noise and disruption.

Any possible movement of buildings which may be caused by the drilling is also being monitored to make sure the historic buildings are not damaged or weakened.

Equipment has been installed by ITM around the shaft sites and along the route of the tunnels to make sure no movement in the buildings occurs while the work takes place.

Workmen can be instantly alerted if any movement is detected.

It is hoped the project will be completed by next March.