Regeneration minister Lord Falconer has pledged to visit Hastings and Bexhill to help breathe new life into the area.

His comments came after meeting the Hastings and Rother Task Force, which is drawing up proposals after the Government rejected plans for bypasses around the two towns.

The task force has produced a five-point plan including transport improvements, a university, an enterprise hub and a broadband network for internet and e-commerce access.

Lord Falconer said: "The five point plan sets out proposals to tackle the serious problems of social exclusion and economic decline in the area.

"I look forward to hearing further details of the action plan and to visiting the area to see exactly what is needed to build a better future for people in Hastings and Bexhill."

Among the organisations backing the initiative are the South East England Development Agency, Sussex Enterprise and local colleges and councils.

Hastings has ten of the South-East's most deprived electoral wards.

Wage levels are 22 per cent below the national average and 40 per cent of the long-term unemployed in East Sussex live in the town.