Sudden downpours brought flooding to Eastbourne in August

Eastbourne's Green Party said Woking had a climate change strategy, latest technology, and had met targets early.

Woking was "widely recognised" as being the most energy-efficient local council in the UK, the Sussex group claimed.

But Eastbourne council said climate change would "without doubt" affect the town and it was putting sustainable development measures in place.

Conservative councillor Patrick Warner said that following two very dry summers and a continuous hosepipe ban, climate change "will without doubt affect Eastbourne and there will be the likelihood of flooding".

Woking may not be the first name that springs to mind as a town at the cutting edge Clive Gross Eastbourne Green Party

He said the council was reacting quickly and putting adaptation measures in place to meet climate change effects.

Flash floods in Eastbourne in August left shoppers knee-deep in water in the town centre.

Green group spokesman Clive Gross said: "Woking may not be the first name that springs to mind as a town at the cutting edge of tackling climate change."

But he said Eastbourne could follow Woking by using sustainable energy sources, bringing in planning policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and following best practice in managing land and buildings.

He said he also wanted to see wetlands created to enhance the floodplain in the area and reduce flooding risks.