Polegrove - We did all we could

Mr Whitmarsh was responding to last week's Observer story about damage to the water-logged outfield caused as lorries from the carnival funfair tried to exit the multi-purpose ground last week.

Mr Whitmarsh believes the problem was caused not just by the heavy rainfall but by pumping operations by Southern Water, who are carrying out sewer work in Polegrove.

He told the Observer: "I believe it is Southern Water's fault.

"We ere working in close conjunction with Ian Rushworth of Rother District Council.

"It was brought to our attention on the Saturday afternoon the amount of water being pumped from that site on to the fairground.

"We had been wondering why the ground had not been draining off.

"Nicky Shaw (fairground owner) called me over on Saturday afternoon to show me. You could see it being pumped back through."

Bexhill Carnival Committee is granted use of the Polegrove under a service level agreement with Rother in return for its work in staging the carnival.

Mr Whitmarsh said: "We took all the steps we could to keep that Polegrove in good nick.

"The diesel spillage was noted on Tuesday or Wednesday of Carnival Week. One of the tanks split. Action was put in place straight away. They did all they could to prevent further damage to the ground."