A fresh attempt is being made to reopen a Sussex rail link.

The East Sussex Economic Partnership is drawing-up a scheme to reopen two disused sections of the Wealden line between Lewes and Uckfield and between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.

The stretches would complete a "central rail corridor" but nearby towns might have to allow homes and business parks to be built to raise some of the cash needed for the initiative.

East Sussex County Council said the South East England Development Agency and rail operator Govia were interested, although the scheme was still at a very early stage.

Council leader Peter Jones said the rail link could stimulate regeneration in Seaford, Newhaven, Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough by creating the corridor.

Some funding could come from the Government and rail operators but a significant contribution might have to come from developers.

Mr Jones said: "Every community concerned should be behind this.

"If people do not want development and new housing, it will make it more difficult to progress with this."

The seven miles of railway between Lewes and Uckfield was closed in 1969 and the four miles from Crowborough to Tunbridge Wells in 1985.

There have been calls to reopen both stretches for many years to relieve pressure on the Brighton to London route and boost the economies of towns and villages along the corridor in which some 100,000 people live.

Brian Hart, director of the Wealden Line Campaign, said reopening the two stretches was vital to the future of many towns in East Sussex.

He said: "I don't want to see this project linked to development, which could take years.

"We should not have to go cap in hand to developers for the money - this is down to the Government.

"These two sections could go back for the cost of a road bypass.

"We are not talking rocket science here."