Flood victims who have been denied water defences for three years will stage an angry protest as environment officials arrive to offer protection advice.

The people of Lewes are still reeling after the Government announced last week that the town, which was ravaged by floods in 2000, would not receive extra defences.

Some 600 homes and 200 businesses were wiped out during the floods five years ago and residents fear another disaster.

Environment Agency (EA) officials will spend tomorrow in their flood van on a mission to provide advice and information to residents about minimising the impact of flooding. But dozens of people are planning to raise placards in protest because they want action not information.

Maureen Messer, 72, chairwoman of Lewes Flood Action Group, said: "We think it's absolutely ridiculous that they are spending all this money on flood risk advice. Why don't they stop wasting it on information and spend it on doing something. We do not want just words and platitudes.

"I have been into the town and spoken to lots of people and they are all so angry. They feel like it doesn't matter to anyone else if the town floods again.

"They coped with it once but most of them feel that they wouldn't be able to cope with it again. They are all happy to protest to make their voices heard.

"We will stand at the Riverside precinct on Cliffe Bridge with placards that say 'Action Not Information', 'Real Flood Defences For Lewes Now' and 'Less Talk More Action'."

Andrew Gilham, Sussex area flood risk manager for the EA, said: "People seem to overlook the fact that the centre of Lewes already has flood defences and they do protect the whole of the town centre up to a certain standard.

"But while any defence will reduce the risk of flooding it can never eliminate it altogether.

"Friday will give people in Lewes an opportunity to ask specific questions from our representatives but it is also to ensure that people who do live within the flood plain understand they are at risk and know how to minimise the impact.

"Even if we provided massive defences people are still at risk because weather conditions could overpower them, so the most important thing is to provide people with information.

"They should think about where their wedding photographs are, birth certificates, insurance policies and so on and store them in a safe place. They should also keep a flood box with a torch and other emergency items in case there was a flood."

Mrs Messer added: "I think it is a real cheek that they are giving us this sort of information. Never mind keeping photos in a box, what about keeping the water out? Do they expect the elderly to take all their valuable possessions upstairs when there's a flood warning? They need to take preventative action."

Anyone interested in the campaign should contact letters@lewes-flood-action.org.uk. The protest will take place at the Riverside precinct tomorrow at 11am.