Rivers across Sussex have been put on flood alert after heavy winds and rain battered the county overnight.

A flood warning was in place on the Cuckmere River at Hellingly today.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "The area was of concern at about 4am. The river is one of those that reacts quickly to rainfall and was rising fast.

"There have been no reports of it flooding and it will recede as time goes on."

There were flood watches in place in Coombe Haven, Cuckmere catchment, Langney Haven, Pevensey catchment, River Cuckmere from Hellingly to Shermans Bridge, River Ouse from Isfield to Barcombeand from Lindfield to Isfield, the River Uck, the River Brede between Sedlescombe and Rye, the River Rother between Mayfield and Newenden and the River Tillingham between Beckley Furnace and Rye.

In Brighton firefighters were called to Buckingham Lodge in Buckingham Place at 8pm yesterday after wind dislodged metal tracking on the roof.

Rush-hour traffic was brought to a standstill as emergency services worked to move a tree from the A281, south of Mannings Heath, near Horsham.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "Last night's rain across Sussex was heavy. Parts of the county had between 20 and 30mm of rain.

"Winds are very strong today and we are concerned for coastal areas as the wind blows the tide onto the beaches.

"We are checking sea defences in West Sussex and are paying particular attention to those in Selsey."