A seaside town has been awarded £500,000 to make it less boring.

East Sussex County Council said Newhaven is ignored by people arriving in Sussex from Dieppe and wants the money to go towards paying for more restaurants, pubs, clubs and wine bars to give the town a more continental feel.

But a large proportion of the funding will be spent on an investigation into how the town can be developed - leading to suggestions that much of the money could be wasted on bureaucracy.

Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for the town, said: "I don't want to see glossy plans and booklets produced that look good and then just sit on shelves because they are impractical.

"This must not be a paper-generating job for bureaucrats. We want real jobs that will revive the port and town further.

"I am pleased there is discussion about regenerating Newhaven but I want to see action and proof more jobs are being created."

A plan of action to turn around the town is being drawn up by the Newhaven Strategic Network, an umbrella group of local authorities, police and health organisations.

Funding will come from the county council and the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The council said it would look at what the town, specifically the port and the Eastside Business Park, currently has to offer and what it needs to become a vibrant place to live, work in and visit.

The project has been defended by civic leaders who said it was the start of a new era in Newhaven.

County council leader Peter Jones said: "This is a busy and exciting time for Newhaven and the coastal strip.

"It is all about working together, having a complete overview of the area and aiming for a thriving business and local community."

Hamish Munro, chairman of the East Sussex Economic Partnership, which is administering the money from Seeda, added: "I am absolutely delighted to be able to support the plan for Newhaven. It is the first stage of what can only be described as a really exciting future for the town."

Organisers behind the regeneration project said more community involvement was essential if Newhaven was to move on from its image as a bland town.

They want to see the town's parks and other public spaces managed by residents in the future.