Builders who rip off people by charging high prices for shoddy work are despicable at any time.

But their actions are particularly disgusting when thousands of people in many parts of Sussex need urgent repairs to their homes, which have been damaged by floods.

Their houses and flats have been ruined. They are desperate and need work to be carried out quickly. Many of them are unusually vulnerable to the crooks and conmen who pose as reputable builders.

These fly-by-night workers have arrived in Sussex from all over Britain because they can see easy pickings from worried and often elderly householders.

Anyone approached by these builders should say No to them firmly, but not before getting hold of their details and reporting them either to the police or trading standards departments.

What many of them are doing is criminal. If enough evidence can be gathered, they will be prosecuted, convicted, fined or even jailed for their vile behaviour.

Each time a vulnerable person allows these charlatans to carry out work, it only encourages them to try again.

Concerted efforts to drive them out of Sussex, backed by a series of well-publicised prosecutions, should help to keep them away in future.