Residents have demanded a tougher New York-style crackdown on graffiti, despite council promises to wipe out daubings within three days.

West Sussex County Council has announced the 72-hour deadline in response to soaring complaints from businesses and residents about spray can vandalism.

Now any council-owned property disfigured by paint will be cleaned up within three days, provided someone reports it.

However, residents fed up with constant vandalism believe there should be a same-day response, as introduced in New York.

The council's area stretches from Burgess Hill to Chichester and the pledge relies on residents calling hotline numbers.

Specialist teams of graffiti-busters, using high pressure water jets and detergents, will be sent to remove the damage.

The council's community engagement department is spearheading the project which has been welcomed by business groups, traders and residents.

Director Kieran Stigant said: "Graffiti suggests an area is run down and neglected and can create a negative impression, especially for tourists and potential investors."

Mike Mundy, treasurer of the World's End Residents' Association in Burgess Hill, cautiously welcomed the new targets but said more could be done.

He said: "I think a three-day target is a step in the right direction but the overall target should be same-day removal.

"That is what they did on the subways of New York and it worked because graffiti vandals don't want to spend all that money on spray paint unless their work is displayed.

"We get graffiti on the signs and there is a lot of it around Wivelsfield station, so I think once the backlog has been sorted out, the council should really look to get it removed within 24 hours."

Steven Gauge, head of policy at Sussex Enterprise, said: "Graffiti is a particular issue for Sussex businesses located on business parks and industrial estates.

"Any attempt to improve the working environment will have a positive impact on the productivity of businesses."

To report graffiti call 01243 836900 if you live in Bognor Regis, Arundel, Findon, Slindon, Littlehampton, Chichester, Midhurst or Petworth; 01903 878500 if you live in Adur, Burgess Hill, Chanctonbury or Worthing; O1403 223900 if you live in Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex.