Sudden downpours in August 2006 flooded Eastbourne town centre

The Environment Agency said Eastbourne was at risk from river, coastal and surface water flooding, with almost 20,000 homes in danger areas.

The Arndale Centre had to be evacuated and there was traffic chaos in August 2006 when flash floods hit the town.

Roadshows are being held on 16, 17 and 19 October to raise awareness of how to prepare for floods in risk areas.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received more than 100 calls from shops, restaurants and other businesses in Eastbourne when a heavy storm caused flash flooding last year.

'Shadow of threat'

"It is important that people living and working in the town understand the risks," said the Environment Agency's Sussex flood risk manager Andrew Gilham.

"Unfortunately, climate change means the likelihood of these events will increase, with more and more of us living in the shadow of that threat."

Experts will be on hand at the roadshow trailer at Asda in The Crumbles on Tuesday, Lottbridge Drove Industrial Estate on Wednesday and the Arndale Centre on Friday.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said officers would be visiting businesses on the industrial estate.

"During the floods in 2000 we saw a lot of pollution caused by oil tanks and hazardous material that had been kept in industrial estates," she said.

"Since then we have tried to work with businesses to ensure this does not happen again.