Greg Barker visits Cooden Beach

He was guided along the coast from Pevensey to Cooden by officials from the Environment Agency and the team of private contractors, who have the responsibility of maintaining the beach flood defences.

Gregory said: "This summer the whole country felt for the victims of flooding in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Indeed here in this constituency, we have seen terrible floods in recent years.

"However in East Sussex we need to remember that it is the sea and the threat of flooding from seasonal storms and high tides that poses the greatest flood danger to the largest number of people. This stretch of Sussex Coast is particularly vulnerable and it is vital that defences are maintained to the highest standard.

"As the years go by and sea levels rise further due to global warming, we will become ever more dependent on effective measures to keep the sea at bay. Fortunately, this particular scheme escaped last years government cuts in flood defence but we must remain vigilant and ensure that the investment in our sea defences is kept up. Local people need that assurance."