A pub is being demolished to make way for a new car park.

The Corner House pub, at New Road, Worthing, has been vacant and boarded-up for months and retail giant Tesco, which owns the site, is now free to knock it down to provide 10 more parking spaces for its neighbouring West Durrington store.

When it was still operating, the pub became notorious as a focal point for anti-social behaviour.

Worthing planners who approved the application were told by agents acting for Tesco: "When the public house was trading, there were continual problems of vandalism, unacceptable behaviour and late-night disturbances, both for the Tesco store and surrounding residents.

"Since the public house has closed, the occurrence of the above problems has greatly reduced.

"The public house is currently on a long-term lease to a brewery company.

"We are unsure of the brewery's reasons for closing but can only presume that it was both problematic and unprofitable to run."

West Sussex Highway Authority supported Tesco's proposals and said: "The crime prevention design adviser of Sussex Police comments that this is a high risk crime area.

"He applauds the actions of Tesco in taking such drastic action.

"The result will undoubtedly be a reduction in crime and disorder and a reduction in the fear of crime."