Campaigners joined forces to protest against a controversial children and family centre.

The facility is due to be built in the grounds of Vale First and Middle School in Vale Avenue, Findon Valley, near Worthing.

It was granted planning permission by West Sussex County Council at the end of June and work on the building began yesterday.

Protester Maggie Winter said: “We are objecting not to the idea of children and family centres, we are objecting to the location within the school campus.

“The school was designed for 300 children but now has more than 650.

“There has been no public consultation and the council keeps telling us that it is for the benefit of the community.

“It is imperative that they, as our elected representatives, listen to the community.”

The council maintains that the correct procedure for consulting on the planning application was followed.