A town centre blueprint for homes, leisure facilities and hundreds of new jobs has won support from leading businessmen.

Directors of the Enterprise Shopping Centre in Eastbourne say the plans will bring huge improvements for firms, shoppers and visitors.

Public consultation begins next month on the biggest regeneration plans in Eastbourne's history.

A shopping centre twice the size of the existing Arndale Centre could be built.

In the past ten years the town has been losing out to developments in Brighton, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.

Council officials believe thousands of new shoppers would be lured to Eastbourne by the proposed new complex.

There are plans for improving transport and building homes, 30 per cent of which will be set aside for key workers.

Some people whose homes and businesses could have to make way for the redevelopment have objected.

But Enterprise centre director John Edgerton said: "We welcome this exciting scheme as it will unify an important section of the town and create a continuous pedestrian precinct from the railway station.

"It is this part of town that creates first impressions when people arrive by train or by road from the A22 and there is no doubt it will make it a much more attractive and pleasant area."

The plans show a piazza between the Enterprise Shopping Centre and the station.

Mr Edgerton said: "It will create a new area where people can walk, sit and relax and where children can play safely.

"We have always wanted to see the station opened out so there is a continuous precinct leading to the shops."

Public meetings are being organised and exhibitions, roadshows and presentations are planned for the consultation period, due to run from November 15 to January 7.

The draft planning brief will be revised following consultation and it is expected the document will go before Eastbourne borough councillors on February 23.

To view the draft supplementary planning guidance, visit www.eastbourne.gov.uk/towncentreregeneration