[ Shingle to help flood-risk beach ]

Work to replace shingle on an East Sussex beach is under way to protect hundreds of low-lying properties and the railway from coastal flooding.

The Environment Agency said work at Bulverhythe beach in Bexhill started on Monday and would take five days.

Mark Douch, flood risk manager, said the shingle would take the energy and force out of waves so they did not damage or break over the sea wall.

He said it would protect about 857 properties - 80 of them commercial.

If the work was not carried out, Mr Douch said those properties would "eventually be left at an unacceptable risk of flooding".

He added: "Storms, high winds and severe weather conditions can test our defences at any time of the year.

"By undertaking this work we are able to maintain the defences."

"We will never be able to stop flooding from happening altogether but, where possible, we try to reduce the damage it can cause," he added.

Originally published October 15 2008 - www.bbc.co.uk