Cllr Kevin Dixon told residents at Tuesday's parish assembly that several interested parties had come forward with regards to the facility, which is to be put out to tender next year.

Some people had expressed fears the town could lose it's TIC, currently run by English Heritage, if no-one wants to take it on.

But Cllr Dixon reassured residents, saying: "It won't close if people are interested in taking the service on.

"Please do not think it's going to close, because it will not.

"At a recent meeting, English Heritage were there and took it on board, but whether they do anything about it will remain to be seen."

Cllr Dixon added: "My personal view is tourism is the one industry in Battle we have got left and should be pushed as hard as possible.

"We should be putting more into it and pushing the 1066 area, the whole of Battle, Rye, Hastings, Pevensey and beyond.

"We won't do, but if we pushed together, rather than little Battle.

"Saying that, Battle should not lose it's identity."