With its cobbled streets, quaint teashops and stunning downland, Rye is simply beautiful.

Now Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has become so enamoured with the ancient port he intends to move there.

Reports from America suggest the millionaire star of Edward Scissorhands and Pirates Of The Caribbean is looking to buy a home for his young family.

Depp, who has two children with French actress girlfriend Vanessa Paradis, has publicly confessed his love for all things traditionally English.

He has spoken of his fondness for pubs, hearty English food, such as beef and Yorkshire pudding, and soccer.

Depp was said to have based his character in Pirates Of The Caribbean on ageing rocker Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones, who lives in West Wittering, near Chichester.

In the past he has been charmed by English women, including supermodel Kate Moss, who he dated for several years in the Nineties.

In the 1066 town of Rye, talk that residents could soon be rubbing shoulders with one of Hollywood's hottest stars was greeted with delight.

Locals said he used to visit the town frequently with Kate Moss and stayed at the 70-bed Mermaid Inn in Mermaid Street, famed locally for its old timbers and open fires.

The inn, one of England's oldest, dates back to the 16th Century. It has hosted many stars over the years, including Andy Garcia, Pierce Brosnan and Charlie Chaplin.

In fact, Chaplin entertained movie legends Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in Rye.

A spokeswoman for the Mermaid Inn said: "Everyone is talking about Johnny Depp possibly moving here.

"We would certainly like to see him again. He has stayed here before and by all accounts he was a very nice person."

Resident John Stevens, 46, said: "Nobody really made a big fuss when Johnny Depp visited. People would just let him go about his business without hassle. That's the type of place Rye is.

"If he does move here, he'll be made more than welcome."

Should he move to Rye, Depp will be only three miles from ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, who has a sprawling estate at Peasmarsh.

It has even been suggested that Depp was interested in buying Sir Paul's secluded countryside retreat.

Depp, who commands £20 million a movie, is bound to find Rye's average house prices of £195,000 well within his budget.

And with Rye being within 70 miles of London and France, where he and Miss Paradis currently live, 41-year-old Depp would find it an ideal location.

Attractions in Rye may seem a million miles from what Hollywood has to offer but Depp is known to enjoy watersports, such as surfing and sailing, which are popular at nearby Camber.