The shadowy world of smugglers has been uncovered by a new £1.75 million visitor centre.

Look and Sea will take people on an interactive journey through the Arun Valley from the Stone Age to the present day.

It is a key part of the multi-million pound East Bank redevelopment next to Littlehampton Harbour.

The visitor and field study centre contains dozens of interactive displays about the town and surrounding area's geology, geography and history.

Visitors can discover why early settlers chose to live in the area and what its links are to authors including Ian Fleming, who created James Bond, and JM Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan.

It also tells how Arundel Castle defended itself from invaders and features models of a block of ice and a loaf of bread, used by smugglers to disguise their stash as they reached dry land.

Site manager Derek Usher said the main aim was to ensure visitors had fun.

He said: "We're using hands-on interactive technology to enable people to really understand about the geology, geography and history of the area.

"We want people to have fun and see for themselves."

The displays include information boards which visitors can control by pressing town landmarks.

Children can also take part in Roman games and learn more about geology on an activity table.

Nigel Croad, Arun's director or resources, said they had trawled archives and spoken to historians and archivists to set up the centre.

He said: "A lot of research has been carried out. The county archivist has helped and we have also used the archives at Arundel Castle.

"We hope the centre will be a good learning tool and fit in well with the National Curriculum."

The project is creating between 15 and 20 full and part-time jobs in the town.

The centre hopes to attract 30,000 visitors a year and will open on May 22.

It has been funded by Arun District Council, the South East England Development Agency and East Bank developers.

For details about Look and Sea, telephone 08702 411414 or log on to www.lookand sea.co.uk