FINDING hidden gems around Sussex has become easier thanks to a new, free to download app just launched.
The Eastbourne Trails app - produced by VisitEastbourne - provides self-guided walking, heritage and activity trails around the town and the South Downs using phone GPS.
It shows map routes and points of interest, and currently offers two heritage trails around town including a Blue Plaque trail and East of the Pier Heritage Trail.
It has been funded out of the £2 million that Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to the town following the devastating fire on Eastbourne Pier
in July 2014.
He said at the time that the money must be spent on projects to boost the town's tourism and not to rebuild the pier.
Councillor Margaret Bannister said: "We’re delighted to see both of these pier fund projects launched and our thanks go to the volunteer researchers who assisted in these fascinating trails.
"This is just the start. The Eastbourne Trails app will just grow and grow, so look out for more fascinating trails coming soon."
The east of the Pier Heritage Trail explores some of Eastbourne’s hidden history with permanent on-street story boards and history corners at key sites around the dynamically changing seaside and Royal Parade area of town.
The boards begin at the Pier and tell the story of Eastbourne’s early Victorian and Edwardian beginnings and the movers and shakers, without whom the town would be very different today.
The Blue Plaque Trail marks the residences of many famous figures from Tommy Cooper and Ernest Shackleton, to the location of a royal beach chalet.
More trails will be added later this year, including film locations, downland walks and cultural trails.
Eastbourne Trails is the first of two apps to funded by the pier grant. A new Resort App released later this year will offer a complete guide to things to do, places to visit, shops, restaurants, offers and more.
The free to download app uses cached data, which means it can be used offline without incurring data charges while out and about.
The Eastbourne Trails app is available now to download for free on iPhone, iPad and Android.
For information on the East of the Pier visit VisitEastbourne.com/EastofthePier
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