“HARD done by” residents are hoping for more Government money to revive their town.

Newhaven has been named as one of the towns eligible for the Towns Fund, a £3.6 billion pot of public money.

It could receive up to £25 million if it bids successfully.

Mayor Graham Amy said residents needed a boost as they felt “put upon”.

“We’ve lost our beach, we get the sewage from Lewes, and we deal with all of their rubbish,” the town councillor said.

“When we do get some nice properties we seem to end up with more mess than we started.

“The people of Newhaven feel hard done by. It’s the other towns around that always seem to benefit.”

Though the town has not yet qualified for the Government handout, Mr Amy hoped to see more cash invested in the town centre, including creating free parking zones.

“It would be great to see redecoration of some of the many great buildings in the town that don’t portray Newhaven at its best,” he said.

“There needs to be some additional housing in the town for more people.

“We’re looking at the possibility of a small hotel and another supermarket too.”

Lewes District Council deputy leader James MacCleary, who lives in Newhaven, said the money would mean “exciting times” for the town.

“We’re currently writing up our regeneration plan for the town,” Cllr MacCleary said.

“People want more to do in the town centre. It’s very quiet, there’s not much footfall.

“And the ring road around Newhaven is a traffic nightmare that seems designed to funnel people away.

“We need to make it a welcoming place.”

Cllr MacCleary’s comments came after a heated exchange with Lewes MP Maria Caulfield concerning funds for the town.

The Lib Dem councillor accused the Tory MP of “misleading” the public when she claimed she “secured £25 million for Newhaven” on Twitter.

Cllr MacCleary said: “We’ve been shortlisted for that due to the hard work of council staff – nothing to do with you. As yet no funds have actually been ‘secured’ by anyone.”

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said Newhaven had a “proud industrial and economic heritage”.

But he admitted it “had not always benefited from economic growth” as much as other areas.

The Conservative Cabinet minister said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country is at the heart of the mission of this Government.”