The new railway station has a covered walkway to all platforms

The new Hastings Station cost �9m to build and has been designed to act as a landmark building in the East Sussex town's long term regeneration plans.

The contemporary, blue-glass, open-plan station was built to the east of the old site, which has been demolished.

Leader of Hastings Council Jeremy Birch said its image would welcome visitors.

This will help put Hastings on the map as a business location and encourage the regeneration of the town Jeff Rooker, minister for regeneration

"The station says something about the town and says something about the sort of town we hope Hastings is going to become," he said.

Among those attending the opening of the new railway station will be the minister for regeneration, Jeff Rooker.

He said as well as making travel by rail more attractive to local residents, the site would also encourage visitors to the town.

"This, together with proposed public transport improvements elsewhere in the area, will help put Hastings on the map as a business location and encourage the regeneration of the town."

Covered walkway

Network Rail's redevelopment of the station was helped by a �750,000 contribution from the South East England Development Agency (Seeda) for work to the forecourt and bus interchange.

South Eastern Trains also made a contribution of �100,000 for the ticket office.

The new facilities include new lifts and a covered walkway to all platforms.

Ian McAllister, chairman of Network Rail, said the old station was in a poor condition, and the new one would be a "welcoming gateway" to Hastings.

He said he hoped tourists and the local community could enjoy the station for many years to come.