New visitor centre manager

Alice moved from London to the area 20 years ago and now lives in Rustington. Her previous job was at Petworth House, where she worked in the buildings department.

"It is fairly different here," admitted Alice, who is already bursting with ideas for the new centre. "I hope it offers something for everyone," she added.

Some of her ideas include using the blank walls of the coffee shop as a showcase for local artists to display their work, inviting local nursery schools at Christmas to sing carols and opening up the coffee shop early for youth hostel guests and local residents to have breakfast.

"I want this to be a place for local people as much as for visitors. This is their town and it is a beautiful location, it should be enjoyed by everyone," she enthused.

Because the centre is a non profit-making venture, any surplus money will be ploughed back into enhancing its educational facilities.

Alice is keen for this to happen and stressed the importance of voluntary staff.

"If there is anyone with local knowledge who would like to offer their services, we would love to hear from them."

She is also keen to invite people into the centre to share their knowledge, such as a lifeboatman or policeman. Someone dressed as a Roman talking about the area's rich past could also be on the cards.

The latest addition to the ground floor exhibition is a stunning mural depicting the Knucker Dragon of Lyminster, painted by Chris Dodds. It nestles comfortably among exhibits about local geology, history and geography.

Alice explained: "We want to give people glimpses. That way, people can go away and discover more about the area."