Flood-plagued residents have spoken of their dismay after being warned that a council may abandon them to the elements.

Gardens backing on to Palatine Park in Worthing have been flooded at least three times during the past ten years following heavy rainfall.

Worthing Borough Council undertook a study of the problem, which affects properties at the junction of Windermere Crescent and Coniston Road. However, experts came to the conclusion it would be unwise to help the occupants of houses which had suffered flooding in 1993-94, 2000-01 and 2002-3.

Chris Bradley, the council's parks manager, said: "There is no certainty that work would provide a solution. Furthermore, any works could worsen the situation and could result in the council acquiring a liability for both damages and additional works."

Michael Coviello, of Coniston Road, said his garden sometimes flooded to a depth of seven inches and he had bought two pumps which could get rid of 4,000 gallons of water an hour.

He said: "The pumps just about cope on rainy days. I would like to know what the council is going to do."

Jean Keats, of Windermere Crescent, whose sunroom floods during heavy rain, said: "We have come here for our retirement, not to have hassle."

Mr Bradley said the cost of forming a dam and draining water would be about £20,000, cash the council didn't have.

He said: "The gardens are lower than the park and run-off has occurred. Some properties also have soakways in rear gardens, which are taking storm water from extended roofs.

"In 2000-01 the council, in an effort to prevent damage to property, provided sandbags to the householders and sandbagged the fence to try to keep water within the park.

"Pumps were used over a number of days to reduce levels and to try to prevent serious damage. More recently, the fire brigade was pumped out gardens.

"During these periods, the council was given to understand that water did penetrate conservatories and sunrooms, damaging carpets."

Mr Bradley said the homes were built on clay, which did not help drainage, and one possible solution would be to build a low earth dam.

He said: "It would be the removal of water that would cause the most significant technical problems because a pipe connected to the main surface water sewer would have to go across private land.

"No budget provision exists for this work."