Residents trapped in rural village due to floods

The Lane, the single track road that leads into Westdean village, has been flooded for several weeks

People in rural East Sussex are unable to leave their tiny village due to flooding.

According to residents, the road to Westdean near Seaford was impassable for a week and at several points throughout the winter, with reports of up to 23cm (9in) of water overflowing the from the nearby River Cuckmere.

Resident Julian Martyr said "people have been absolutely trapped" with parents unable to take their children to school and vulnerable people missing hospital appointments.

The Environment Agency said it cleared shingle from the mouth of the Cuckmere to reduce flood risk.

Mr Martyr said when the village was flooded previously residents used an emergency exit track owned by Forestry England.

Forestry England did not respond to the BBC's request for comment but Highways England said the track was closed for safety reasons.

Georgina Stevens has to walk through steep woodland to the nearest bus stop

Another resident, Georgina Stevens, said a few "plucky residents" were driving through the water in 4x4s but were keeping that to a minimum to avoid damaging their engines.

"The rest of us are just walking out of the village and catching lifts or jumping on the bus - whatever we can manage," Ms Stevens added.

She said the nearest bus stop was a steep, 15-minute walk through woodland.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Like many places, East Sussex has had significant rainfall in the past few months, and we know the devastation flooding can cause.

“The Environment Agency clears shingle from the mouth of the Cuckmere to reduce flood-risk [...] when most effective to do so."

East Sussex County Council has been contacted for comment.