Ever since William the Conqueror landed in 1066, Hastings has been a magnet for visitors from all over the world.

One of the ancient Cinque Ports, it has developed over the centuries from the original Old Town to the elegant Regency terraces of Burton's St Leonards and the Victorian town centre.

A popular seaside resort in the 19th century, like many other seaside towns Hastings suffered from economic decline in more recent times, as documented in Robert Tressell's classic novel The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

Now with major regeneration projects underway, including the new University and Media Centre, the town's fortunes are definitely on the up.

As one of the first "e-cities" Hastings offers exciting prospects for businesses looking to expand through broadband internet technology. With a skilled workforce and costs substantially lower than the South East average, more and more businesses are choosing to relocate and invest in the town.

Long popular with artists and writers, Hastings has a young and lively atmosphere and community events such as Jack in the Green and the Hastings Bonfire are always hugely popular.

Rye (also a Cinque Port) is a smaller town but with a character all its own. With cobbled streets and original medieval and Tudor buildings (including the famous Mermaid Inn) it is steeped in history. Like Hastings, it has attracted artists and writers over many years, including Henry James and EF Benson who immortalised the town as Tilling in his Mapp and Lucia novels.

Rye is also benefiting from regeneration funding, including the development of the Harbour area.

The constituency also includes the Cinque Port of Winchelsea (the smallest town in Britain) and the villages of Fairlight, Winchelsea Beach, Three Oaks, Guestling, Icklesham, Playden, Iden, Rye Harbour, East Guldeford, Rye Foreign, Camber and Pett.