The operation to save Chichester from major flooding could end up in the Guinness Book of Records.

The massive operation to pump water from one end of the city to the other is now thought to be the biggest operation of its kind mounted by a British fire brigade.

And some officers in West Sussex think it could even be one of the largest operations of its kind in the world.

Sixteen miles of pipes now snake their way around the city. In several areas, pedestrian footbridges have been erected over the pipelines to make sure shopping is not disrupted.

The pipelines have been set up to carry water from the heavily swollen River Lavant at danger points and put the water back further downstream where it can flow safely out to sea.

It is also designed to prevent too much water from the river entering underground culverts built during the Victorian era which run below part of the city centre.

The operation has become a tourist attraction and Chichester Council has published a "tube trail" walk leaflet, explaining the operation.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: "We do believe that this operation could be one of the biggest of its kind mounted by a fire brigade anywhere in the world.

"However at this stage no decisions have been taken about whether to apply for a place in the Guinness Book Of Records."