A new £4m art gallery housing the Jerwood Foundation's collection of 20th and 21st century works is to open its doors to the public in Hastings, East Sussex, tomorrow (17 March).

The development of the Jerwood Gallery - designed by Colchester-based HAT Projects - is part of a wider £9m regeneration of the Stade, a historic area located in Hastings' old town.

It is hoped the gallery will add Hastings to the "string of pearls" of cultural attractions along the south coast, which includes Turner Contemporary in Margate and Folkestone Triennial.

Jerwood Gallery incorporates more than 500sq m (5,382sq ft) of exhibition space, including a 180sq m (1,938sq ft) space for temporary programmes, as well as a sculpture courtyard.

Alan Grieve, chair of the Jerwood Foundation, said: "The new Jerwood Gallery marks a key moment in the history of the Jerwood Foundation.

"Not only will it be an opportunity to celebrate the 20th and 21st century British art in our collection, but it will also create a tangible relationship between those works and our curated exhibition programme which will be shown in the gallery."

Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch added: "The whole town will benefit from this development, creating much-needed jobs, and yet another reason to visit us."

Details: www.jerwoodgallery.org

Image: Ioana Marinescu