Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt MP made another splash as she saw how money from her department is being spent.

The under-secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of venues.

The MP, who famously appeared on Olympic swimmer Tom Daley’s TV series Splash!, visited Hastings Pier, Brighton’s Open Market and Saltdean Lido.

She said: “It’s been brilliant. I had briefings but there’s nothing quite like seeing it.”

The Argus caught up with Miss Mordaunt at the Open Market, which was the recipient of Portas Pilot funding – the government support scheme involving retail guru Mary Portas.

She added: “This is an area where the Portas Pilot has been a catalyst to turning things around so it’s great to see money not only being spent well but making a real, tangible difference to the community.

“Everything from the market through to what the traders were saying was great. The high street is re-inventing itself, and this is just superb.”