They were discussing tourism marketing for the district, where it was decided the Bexhill Town Guide will be kept in its original format for next year.

There had been proposals to reduce the guide to a single sheet, but uproar from the business community will see it kept in its present format.

Officers discussed the situation with traders and, despite telling members they didn't agree it offered full value for money, said it was the 'preferred option.'

Members reserved special criticism for a report commissioned by 1066 Country Marketing - the private/public sector partnership to promote tourism in the area.

Bexhill, Battle, Rye and Hastings were seen as attracting the same target audiences, but Bexhill's distinctive features with which to promote the town were listed as, 'offering traditional fish and chips and local produce.'

"It's an absolutely scandalous report on Bexhill," said Cllr Robin Patten. "To say fish and chips and local produce and not the pavilion!"

Cllr Michael Ensor said: "I think Bexhill offers considerably more than that."

On the subject of the town guide, Cllr Deirdre Williams said: "They (stakeholders) have decided they want to retain the town guide, rather than go down the path of Battle and Rye - particularly because they have a tourist information centre which Bexhill does not."

Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard added there needed to be greater partnership between public and private stakeholders to promote tourism in Rother.

He said: "There needs to be a greater degree of cooperation with partners to get the job done, especially in the present economic climate."