Thousands of pounds is to be invested in a seaside town to boost flagging tourism.

English Heritage announced today it would award £300,000 to Bexhill to help revive the tourist trade.

The money will be spent during three years and forms part of the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (Hers).

Funding will mainly be spent on regenerating commercial areas in the town in the light of declining tourism and business investment.

Particular attention will be paid to St Leonards Road, where buildings will be given repair priority.

Chairman of English Heritage Sir Neil Cossons said: "We are delighted to announce the fourth round of these successful schemes and continue to be proud of the very real difference they make to towns and villages. Investment in the historic heart of a community creates and safeguards jobs, transforms local economies, attracts people to an area and helps to create a safe and stable environment."

For every £100,000 of English Heritage funding £480,000 is generated from other sources such as local councils.

Five more towns in the South-East have also received part of the £990,000 package of grants from English Heritage, including Worthing and Dover.

Mr Cossons said: "Hers funding helps a diverse range of areas, including some of the country's most deprived ones and others where Hers may be the only source of grant aid.

Invitations are to be sent to local authorities in May to apply for the fifth round of Hers funding, starting in April 2003.