A global manufacturer is to make Newhaven its new multi-million pound European nerve centre.

The announcement by Newell Rubbermaid follows its purchase of the Gillette Stationery Group - which includes the Parker Pen plant in Newhaven - last month.

The buy-out in January safeguarded more than 600 jobs at Parker Pen, where families have worked since it opened in Railway Road in 1952.

The sale has been subject to approval from regulators around the world, including the US and the European Union.

Now Newell Rubbermaid bosses have re-affirmed their commitment to the town by making it their European headquarters.

Parker Pen will now be run by Newell Rubbermaid's stationery arm, Sanford.

Its operation, which includes a plant in Germany, is now expected to be controlled from Newhaven and senior staff will be relocated there.

Gillette has now sold its entire stationery business, which includes Parker Pen, Paper Mate and Waterman, to Newell Rubbermaid.

Business and council leaders in the town have heralded the move as proof that Newhaven is the place to be for investors.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, whose Lewes constituency includes Newhaven, had been lobbying behind the scene to ensure there were no jobs losses.

He said: "It's superb news for Newhaven and a marks a further tick in the town's regeneration box.

"It also acts as proof that Newhaven is a place for large investment and hopefully will attract others in to the town."

Mareck Lowrys, of Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, said: "There is a lot of development going on in Newhaven at the moment and this is great news for the town."