Ivan Wheal can only look on in despair as the skies open at the junction of the A27 and Eartham Lane at Crockerhill because he knows it will flood – leading to a drought in custom at The Winterton Arms.

The 36-year-old has lost count of the number of times the road has flooded since he and his wife Joe took control of the watering hole and eatery in March last year.

Each time he has called West Sussex County Council and the Highways Agency to report the problem, only to be caught in the middle of a blame game between the authorities.

"Whenever it rains, the junction where the A27 meets Eartham Lane turns into a huge lake and it has at times been six inches deep. Whenever it does that, it cuts us off," Mr Wheal said.

"We have had highways out and local councillors and they are just blaming each other, which doesn't get the problem solved.

"The whole pathway collapsed last year and the highways came out and threw a lot of Tarmac on to it, but it hasn't done a lot to solve the problem.

"We are paying our business rates and nothing is being done about it."

The downpour last Wednesday meant the country pub received no customers at all for its popular carvery.

Staff spent five hours preparing the meat, fresh vegetables and homemade gravy but it was all in vain.

Mr Wheal said: "Our reputation is spreading but as soon as we get a lake it absolutely kills us.

"I would imagine the amount we have lost in trade probably goes into four figures, especially on Wednesdays and Sundays.

"On Sunday for our carvery we can have up to 100 customers but if we have the rain we will easily lose 50 per cent of our custom on a weekend."

The couple are now at the end of their tether and just want someone to take responsibility for the flooding problems and rectify the situation.

They have spent thousands of pounds refurbishing the pub, laying new carpets and rebuilding the bar.

And they have massive plans for its future.

"My wife and I have put a lot of time and money into building this pub up to take it back to the country pub it should be," Mr Wheal said.

"We have just got planning permission for a twin-lane skittle alley, a games rooms and to move our cellar and obviously we want to do all this and progress with the pub.

"But the longer this situation with the road goes on, the longer we continue to lose trade."