Posted on 28th Aug 2009 @ 3:27 PM

AMAZED emergency planning officers could not believe their eyes when a company tested a pioneering new alternative sandbag against the forces of nature.

Emergency planning officers from across the south of England were invited to the dramatic demonstration of the award-winning FloodSax® at Shoreham in Sussex.

Not only did they see the bags hold in water when they were formed into a square, they also withstood being blasted by a high pressure fire service hose and then the ultimate test of all - they held back the sea.

And the emergency planners were impressed.

"I've never seen anything like that before,'' said one. "The FloodSax® were even better than I could ever have imagined.''

Many others agreed and since the demonstration dozens of councils have opted for the FloodSax® to replace traditional sandbags.

FloodSax® are only available from Environmental Defence Systems Limited.

The company was so sure of the product they even invited TV crews to attend and it was covered by journalists from both the BBC and Meridian.

EDS managing director Richard Bailey said: "We believe the best way to market a product is to show potential customers exactly how it works. This day gave the FloodSax® the most extreme tests which shows the confidence we have in this product to put it in front of emergency planners and TV crews."

"The FloodSax® even held back the sea as the tide came in. You can't ask any more than that of a flood defence product. Since the demonstration, dozens of local authorities have bought many thousands of FloodSax® - and the number is growing daily. The terrible summer floods have left a lasting impact and local councils are under no illusions as to what can happen."

"Homes built on land that has not flooded for decades were swamped in the summer. These FloodSax® are an instant and robust line of defence against the enormous damage filthy floodwater can wreak."

"It not only damages homes, it devastates lives.''

The FloodSax® is made from a heavy-duty patented material which works with a polymer to expand to over 200 times its own size and weight. Once expanded they can last up to three months.

They are made in one size, 450 by 500 and weigh up to 0.25 kg. 10 FloodSax® weigh less than 3 kg.