A former mayor of Worthing has made an impassioned plea to council leaders over the future of a prime seafront site.

Councillor Valerie Sutton urged the borough council not to pack high-density housing on a plot of vacant land at the junction of Sea Place and Eirene Road, Goring.

She said at least some of the site, just yards from the beach near Worthing Yacht Club and Baloo's restaurant, should be used for leisure.

Coun Sutton spoke out as councillors agreed to employ consultants with a view to marketing the site for redevelopment, along with land near the Grafton multi-storey car park opposite the Lido.

She is concerned that, instead of making the best use of the Goring site, the council is trying to get the most money, which points towards high-density housing.

She said: "I hope we are going to get something for the whole community, as was always intended."

Councillor Sheila Player, leader of the council, said: "The duty of this council is to maximise its resources for its citizens. It is a little early to be pre-judging a planning brief which we haven't started work on yet."