A scheme to stop Chichester from flooding kicked in for the first time yesterday.

A £4million permanent flood relief scheme was installed to stop a repeat of the 1994 floods which engulfed the city and surrounding villages.

The scheme involves an emergency relief channel to divert water from the River Lavant at times when it threatens to break its banks and pump it out to sea at the Pagham Rife near Bognor.

Ray Kemp from the Environment Agency said: "The scheme was used for the first time yesterday and it worked extremely well.

"If it hadn't been in place the city would certainly have been threatened."

The scheme has caused controversy among villagers in Pagham who say the new scheme leaves them at risk of flooding.

Chairman of Pagham Parish Council Jacquie Miles said: "The flood relief scheme was put in place to keep Chichester dry but what about us?"

But Mr Kemp said they had no reason to be concerned.

He said: "Water levels would have to reach to the top of Chichester Cathedral spire before Pagham was affected by flooding. They have nothing to be worried about."

Environment Agency staff were still monitoring river levels across West Sussex today but said for the time being the threat of any more serious flooding had passed.