Police have promised to crack down hard on drivers causing extra havoc during the flooding in West Sussex.

Part of The Hornet at Chichester was closed, apart from essential access, on Friday because some drivers were travelling too fast and threatening to flood shops and homes.

Police spokesman Phil Marten said: "The properties have been sandbagged but some vehicles were travelling too fast for the conditions and water was spraying up and threatening to go over the top of them."

At Chilgrove, one motorcyclist complained to police that a speeding car sent up such a heavy shower of floodwater that he could not see where he was going and nearly lost control of his machine.

Now police say that drivers could face prosecution if they travel too fast through flood-hit areas.

They have told other roads-users to take a note of the numbers of cars driving without due attention to the road conditions.

Mr Marten said: "If we have the evidence, the charge would be one of driving without consideration for other road-users.

"One of the groups of vehicles there is a particular problem with are 4x4 vehicles. People seem to think they are sitting at the wheel well up off the ground and can drive at speed through flood-water."