Millions of pounds lopped off the budget for the Aquarena swimming complex will wreck the project, opposition councillors have warned.

The Conservative-run Worthing Borough Council has slashed the budget for the new baths from £22 million to £17 million because officials were concerned the scheme was too expensive.

An amended set of plans are set to be revealed today.

But opposition councillors fear the £5 million in cuts will mean facilities in the replacement complex will not be up to scratch.

Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Smytherman said: “It’s a mystery what’s going to be missed with the cut.

You can’t lose £5 million and not lose out on facilities.

“We sold Worthing short 40 years ago when the Aquarena was built.

Worthing needs an Olympic-sized pool.

It’s so unfortunate the Conservatives are hell-bent on building a 25m pool.”

The original scheme, backed by Conservative councillors, was to feature an eight-lane 25m pool as well as a combined learner/diving pool, indoor pools with rapids and flumes, outdoor leisure waters, a health and fitness centre, café and crèche.

The Conservatives insist the project will not suffer from the reduced budget.

Councillor Heather Mercer said: “We totally re-examined the whole thing.

Both architects have said the original budget was over generous so without altering the footprint £5 million can be cut from the scheme without losing out on any facilities.”

Fellow Tory councillor John Rogers said: “We went back to the architects and said we had the reduced budget and they came back with some really good ideas.

We think this marks a design triumph in the credit crunch.

“The basic shape and facilities won’t change.

“However, there are some other minor alterations – some indoor paddling pools have been taken out and there will be less parking space available.”

The opposition is demanding the council look at signing a deal with a private developer to increase the budget for the project.

Lib Dem councillor Alan Rice said: “We had difficulty in seeing how the Conservatives had the money in the first place and now we’ve been vindicated.

“There has been so much delay on the pool.”