Home Secretary David Blunkett announced thousands would be spent on deprived areas during a visit to Sussex yesterday.

A grant of £20,000 will help enhance an area outside shops in Whitehawk Way, Whitehawk, Brighton.

And the same amount will be spent in Hastings to boost an anti-crime initiative designed to protect traders.

The Whitehawk project includes improving pedestrian access for wheelchair users and parents with prams as well as removing concrete plant holders which are used as seats by congregating youths.

A working group which will oversee the project is now being formed and will involve the eb4u regeneration scheme, which applied for the cash in February, residents and Sussex Police. It is hoped improvements will be completed by April next year.

The money is part of the Home Office Security for Small Retailers scheme, which is paying for improved security measures and environmental improvements on run-down shopping parades across the country.

John Mitchell, the eb4u safety team leader, said: "We are very pleased. It is something that has been flagged up by the community and Sussex Police.

"I am really pleased the ideas we are getting are being put into practice."

The funding was announced yesterday as Mr Blunkett toured St Leonards, which was awarded more than £240,000 last year to spend on updating security measures in shops along Kings Road.

Mr Blunkett, accompanied by guide dog Sadie, was met at the street wardens' office in St Leonards' Warrior Square train station by MP Michael Foster and Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch.

After a chat with community groups, he strolled down the road to talk to Grahame King and his wife Veronica, who run Kings Stationers and Printers.

Mr King, who has run the business with his wife for 25 years, said of the security measures installed in shops: "It gives confidence to the customers and to the businesses, which is absolutely vital.

"We were given the opportunity for the installation of CCTV in 23 businesses, alarms and other security measures including lighting for the front and rear and this is where the money has been spent, on programmes to give more confidence to the business community."

As part of the visit, Mr Blunkett announced £20,000 would go to traders in Battle Road Business and Retail Security in Hastings, as part of a £493,580 pot of money to be shared by deprived areas in the South-East.

He said every aspect of investment made a difference and compared the process to putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

He said: "This money means the community is able to stay alive and the security offered makes sure the shops stay open and ties in with the regeneration of the area.

"People who have come from a distance are then prepared to come back and enjoy the leisure facilities. All of it has a sense of revival and hope for the future."

Shop staff and members of the public lined the street to catch a glimpse of the Home Secretary, who was surrounded by police, including Chief Inspector Ken Taylor, district commander for Hastings, and members of the Special Branch.