Firm carpeted by floods in turf war

In the 1980s, the issue of astroturf was a highly controversial one in the world of football; perhaps now the bright green prickly stuff will become the mode du jour for law firms.

Having been under 3ft of water during the recent floods, the Lewes branch of Sussex firm Wynne Baxter Godfree suffered more than 250,000 of damage.

The building dates back to the 17th century and the porous quality of the astroturf should allow the oak floorboards to breathe and dry properly without rotting.

This means the firm can open its reception while the rest of the groundfloor is refurbished.

'It's a trifle green,' admits office head Pauline Hillman, 'but we have attracted quite a lot of attention during the installation so people know that we are very much in business.'