Eastbourne has won £180,000 to regenerate a rundown part of town.

Eastbourne Borough Council was awarded the cash by English Heritage.

It will be used to convert empty properties into homes and create more businesses in the Seaside Road area.

The money will be matched by the council, creating a budget of £360,000 over three years.

Seaside Road has long been considered in need of revitalisation and the council is keen to turn empty properties back into homes.

Council leader Graham Marsden said: "I welcome the financial support provided by English Heritage that will enable us to continue the process of revitalising the Seaside Road area.

"This matched funding will help bring back into use the buildings that have fallen into disrepair, thus creating a poor image of the area."

Number 33 Seaside is the first property to win a grant under the scheme.

Work will be carried out to rid the building - owned by the James Butcher Housing Association - of damp. It will then be rented out as flats and the shop below will be given a new front.