A town struggling in the recession has been given a £19 million boost.

Two firms have unveiled start dates for prestigious developments in Worthing, which has been hit by major job losses in recent months, with hundreds being axed at Norwich Union in Broadwater.

Plans for two new colleges costing £110 million are also in jeopardy due to a funding crisis.

But civic leaders hope the tide is beginning to turn after Roffey Homes and Lemo backed the town.

Worthing-based Roffey Homes will begin the construction of 34 luxury seafront apartments, overlooking Splash Point, on May 5.

The £15 million scheme has been named Eardley in memory of the Eardley Hotel which formerly stood on the site.

On April 29, work will commence on Lemo UK's new £4 million headquarters in North Street.

Councillor Ann Barlow, the borough's Cabinet member for regeneration, hailed the “brilliant news”.

She said: “It's a sign of how Worthing, even in the economic crisis, is staying strong and holding its own.

“It is really positive to see this inward investment and the confidence businesses have in the town.”

Ben Cheal, managing director of Roffey, which also built the acclaimed Warnes flats complex next to the Eardley, said: “It should take approximately two years to build.

“We are putting a strong emphasis on utilising local Worthing companies and labour to carry out over 90% of the work.

“There has been a huge amount of interest just from people walking past, which has been very encouraging and has led to us starting the development when many other developers are halting all work on sites.”

Lemo employs 43 people making specialist electronic and fibre optic connectors and cables.

Before the recession, the company said a larger modern HQ would allow it to take on another 40 staff.

Lemo said it hoped to move in by August 2010.

Managing director Richard Thomas said: “Like most manufacturing companies we have been affected by the severe economic slowdown, though probably not as badly as other sectors due to our concentration on niche markets.

“Lemo group, based near Lausanne in Switzerland, has always taken a long term view with its investments and this policy continues.

“Worthing is well placed for us to reach our important markets in the UK, as well as for receipt of supplies of our base components from our Swiss machining centres.

“However, none of this is much use without our staff, many of whom have been with us for a long time, and the variety of skills that they provide.

“The Worthing region offers an excellent pool of potential employees with the necessary skills that we will need as our growth continues.”