English Heritage is to give £420,000 to restore historic buildings and bring declining areas back to life.

The money, which is to be divided between Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council and Lewes District Council, was announced as part of a £9 million package to help deprived areas.

Lewes is to receive £40,000 towards the repair of historic buildings damaged in last year's catastrophic floods.

Eastbourne is to receive £60,000 for the regeneration of the Seaside Road area and to attract trade back to the town centre.

In Hastings, £40,000 will be used to repair seafront net shops traditionally used by fishermen to dry their nets and for storage.

Local authorities are expected to match the money which is intended to improve streets, parks and public spaces and turn derelict buildings into new homes and businesses.

Lewes District Council has agreed to match the funding package but said the town needed the money in one payment, not spread during three years.

The lead councillor for planning, Andrew Small, said: "People are waiting to get back into their flooded homes and cannot do so until this work is completed.

"They cannot wait in a queue for three years and what is offered by English Heritage does not deal with the immediate problem."