Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy will meet Eastbourne tourism bosses to discuss the impact of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Mr Kennedy will meet up with representatives from the hotel trade in Eastbourne tomorrow to hear at first hand how the disease is playing havoc with the industry.

He will meet the town's Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful Chris Berry and speak to Matthew Williamson, outgoing chairman of Eastbourne Hotels Association, at the York House Hotel on Royal Parade.

Mr Kennedy, who will also visit Southport, in Lancashire, said: "Seaside towns like Eastbourne and Southport are extremely dependent on their tourist trade.

"The current foot-and-mouth crisis is seriously affecting this industry whether there are cases nearby or not."

It will mark Mr Kennedy's second visit to Sussex within two months.

In February, he went walkabout in the Lewes district to publicise his party's crusade for more police officers on the street.

Mr Berry said: "Everyone is suffering in the holiday business at present. We need top politicians to know what is really happening and being positive about tourism in England."