The Met Office say the region saw somewhere between five and 10cm of snow on Sunday.

But residents in Rochester Close, Meads, recorded eight inches.

Sussex Police received 120 weather related calls and the A259 Beachy Head Road, Eastbourne, was closed from 12.30pm on Sunday due to snow and ice.

A BMW owner phoned police and explained he had left his car at the cross roads between Beachy Head Road and Mead Street after it had become stuck in the snow.

East Dean and downland areas were the worst affected and many queuing motorists turned round after others were unable to move their vehicles.

On Sunday afternoon, Sussex Police control room supervisor Simon Hills said, "The advice from the police is if you don't have to go out, then don't."

Fortunately, emergency services dealt with minor car crashes only.

Some town centre businesses, including outdoor shop Millets, shut their doors early on Sunday to allow staff to make their way home in the heavy snowfall and East Sussex Highways were gritting the town centre's roads throughout the afternoon.

A spokesperson from Southern said the trains in the region were unaffected by the adverse weather.

However, all bus services from Terminus Road were suspended on Sunday afternoon.

Families across the town enjoyed playing in the snow and an Eastbourne prankster, who previously attempted to sell the Town Hall and Police Station on Ebay, is hoping to cash in on the weather by selling 'rare snow' online.

Alistair Monkey Boy Morris states, "Up for auction is a fresh snowball, no yellow marks - this is a very rare one, last time Eastbourne had snow this deep was about 15 years ago.

"it is bagged and in the fridge, awaiting that snowball fight in the summer.

"Sorry can't post, so will have to be picked up in person."

But the Met Office say northerly arctic winds are to be expected at this time of year.

A spokesperson said, "It is not that unusual.

"This is the sort of time of year you would expect to see snow - we had snow showers in Easter."

See readers pictures of the snow which has hit Eastbourne by clicking here.

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