There are many legacies left by the Romans in Sussex, such as the great palace at Fishbourne near Chichester and a handsome villa at Bignor, north of Arundel. But I never knew the Romans were active in Eastbourne until I read a new book by the indefatigable scholar and writer, George Musgrave.

Now 93, Mr Musgrave first became interested in the Roman period when he was eight years old and an old lady gave him a Roman coin.

Many Roman remains have been found in Eastbourne, the latest discovery being made as recently as March this year, and Mr Musgrave says the area was a fine site for the Romans, with good communications and nearby lookout posts on the Downs. It was also only a few miles from a fort at Pevensey.

He speculates that the villa there stretched along the seafront close to where the pier is now and westwards beyond Cavendish Place. The entrance would have been where Cavendish Place meets Elms Avenue and Burlington Road.

It is not known what the villa looked like precisely, although guesses can be made based on other discoveries.

Mr Musgrave says one expert has suggested it could have been as large as Fishbourne, but he does not think that likely.

Excavations were made 300 years ago, but the discoveries were ruined by souvenir hunters and bad weather.

People took bits of it to put up other buildings and eventually streets or homes were built on top of the remains.

No one knows who lived in the villa, which was known as Anderida, but it could have been a local leader or a promoted army officer nearing retirement.

More details about Roman Eastbourne, including many coins, are available at the Musgrave Collection, a remarkable small museum in the heart of town.

Founded in 1983, the collection was originally housed in Mr Musgrave’s home before moving to various locations, including Patcham windmill in Brighton, which he used to own. He wrote a short history of the mill, which offers views of the Isle Of Wight on clear days.

Mr Musgrave was born in 1914 and still goes to the museum most days, which also displays many works of art by him, although none are for sale. His work was first shown on TV more than half a century ago and includes toy soldiers, cake decorations, sports figures and a short film which he made in 1949 called The Patient Years using a clockwork cine camera.

Mr Musgrave has also spent much of his long life compiling an exhibition at the museum about the life and work of St Paul. On the recommendation of leading British archaeologists he was given permission by the Vatican to view Roman remains under St Peter’s in Rome.

The museum is a quirky and entertaining collection, representing one man’s long life and many interests. Exhibits range from early photography to the development of printing.

* The Musgrave Collection, 77 Seaside Road, Eastbourne. Open Tues-Sat, 10am-4.30pm, Easter to the end of October. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

* Whatever Happened To Anderida? by George H Musgrave is available at the museum for £5. Proceeds go to keeping the museum open.

Mr Musgrave hopes to have a model of the villa there soon.