Sitting on the beach this summer soaking up the sun, it was tempting to think the seaside in Sussex had scored a revival after decades of sliding gently downhill.

Tempting but not entirely true.

For every Brighton bustling with energy and life, there's a Hastings, shabby and neglected, looking like the town time forgot.

I made a point of touring Sussex resorts this summer to see how they are faring and I'll start at the bottom with Hastings.

Ten years ago, after writing a critical piece about the resort, I was invited there again by the chief executive Roger Carrier, who enthusiastically explained to me all the exciting plans for the future, including a marina.

Some things have happened. There's a standard shopping centre (on the site of one of Britain's loveliest cricket grounds).

There are new displays in the caves (which have cost them much of their atmosphere). St Mary-in-the-Castle Church has been restored (but I still couldn't get into it).

There's an air of decrepitude from the moment you emerge from the tatty station into a featureless forecourt. The seafront is appalling, with the most tremendous tat. And there's still no marina.

Hastings has huge potential with a delightful medieval heart and the countryside seeping into town on the East Hill. The council is no longer hung, which hindered progress, and it has a good MP.

But it probably needs outside help, and lots of it, to make inroads into half a century of hopelessness.

Nearby Bexhill was always deadly but it is now dowdy too. It's like an elderly aunt who kept up appearances for a long time but who doesn't bother much any more.

Even the De La Warr Pavilion, art deco pride and joy of the seafront, looks dispirited with a tired tearoom in no way reflecting the grand concept.

What a contrast with Eastbourne, a resort which always knew exactly which visitors it wanted and catered for them.

It still attracts the rich retired but increasingly has welcomed young sportsmen and women.

Now parts such as Little Chelsea have an almost bohemian air about them and are attracting people who cannot afford Brighton prices. And it has a marina.

Worthing, like Hastings and Bognor, lost its way as a seaside resort many years ago. You can always tell by how many hotels there are along the front.

But it has rediscovered its role as a residential town and, with its youthful hinterland, is by no means as geriatric as a cursory peep at the prom might indicate.

Bognor and Seaford both still look as if they have not fully recovered from the Second World War and I have almost given up hope.

The surprise packet this year was Littlehampton. After years of simply being a small town resort for children who love its sandy beach, it has suddenly matured.

There is exciting development, some of it well designed, along the river bank and the prison-like sheds which housed the fairground rides have been replaced by something much better.

But Brighton and Hove was once again the seafront star.

It has big faults but even greater virtues. It's growing in popularity all the time and at times this summer it was hard to walk through the city centre crush.

Every time I think it can't possibly support another cafe, three more open. Other resorts which are lank and tawdry should send civic leaders along there to see if they can capture the sweet seaside smell of success.