Newhaven and the rest of the county could benefit from European Union funding if a partnership between East Sussex, Malta and the French region of Seine-Maritime is successful.

Officials in the three areas say that Newhaven, Dieppe and Cottonera in Malta face similar economic and social challenges and this presents them with a unique opportunity to join forces and use EU funding to help their areas.

As a new EU member, Malta can apply for grants from Brussels and joint bids with other regions could unlock funding for economic, transport and tourism development projects.

The three areas all have:

• ports with important ferry links

•transport links that need improving

•regeneration and redevelopment plans in progress

•similar social regeneration issues

•a need to sustain skilled labour through further training

•a great maritime history.