How Britain's deadliest avalanche struck Sussex

Nearly 200 years ago, in the depths of a freezing winter, a Sussex town became the scene of the deadliest avalanche in British history.

In the early hours of 27 December, 1836, people living in seven cottages along the River Ouse in Lewes were warned by their neighbours that snow settling on the cliffs above their homes could collapse.

The occupants of the cottages stayed put. For some, their decision would turn out to be a fatal.

BBC Radio Sussex visited the pub where the houses once stood - the aptly named Snowdrop Inn.

Dominic McCartan, landlord at the Snowdrop, said: "The most that [the avalanche] is talked about is when there's snow. A lot of people don't realise [the pub's] history.

"People look at the sign and believe it was something to do with a spring flower, but it's quite the opposite."

When the snow came crashing down onto the houses, there were 17 people inside - eight were killed and seven injured.

Two babies, both just six weeks old, were the only occupants to escape unscathed.

Between 30 and 40 labourers from the area rushed to the scene, hurriedly dumping as much snow as they could into the nearby Ouse.

Now, the river is lined with grand houses, but the pub still serves as a reminder of the area's past.

"There's a feel about it that I think comes from previous times," said Dominic.

"The past is of such importance to the present and the future, it needs to be celebrated, and if that means telling the story, then that in itself is a celebration."

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