Sudden downpours brought flooding to Eastbourne town centre

Eastbourne shopkeepers described how they moved customers upstairs to await rescue after downpours left people knee-deep in water on Monday.

One shop with a cellar under the street had water pumped out, but was left with a flood three inches high the next day.

Flooded stores that had experienced power failures said the situation was slowly getting back to normal.

Shopkeeper Julie Buss said: "We had about 20 customers in our shop. We had to move them up into our stock room to get them out.

"We had women and children and babies in the shop, and eventually the fire brigade came and took them out."

Centre evacuated

On Monday, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it received more than 100 calls for help from shops, restaurants and other businesses in the town.

The Arndale Shopping Centre was evacuated and traffic was in chaos.

A fire service spokesman said cellars were flooded, and stock and food in shops and restaurants was ruined. Six fire appliances were at the scene.

Some backstage areas of the Grade-II listed Congress Theatre and nearby Winter Garden Theatre were also affected, with the Congress lift shaft filled with more than 5ft of storm water.