Dozens of people have protested at late licence bids by two Worthing town centre pubs.

They fear increased noise, disturbance and antisocial behaviour such as vandalism and fighting if borough councillors give the go-ahead.

Yates's in Chapel Road wants to open until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while the Vintner's Parrot, in Warwick Street, has asked for a 1am extension.

The applications have sparked a flood of objections from residents, who claim they won't be able to sleep at night as drunken yobs stagger home.

They warned that once one pub was given a late licence, all the others would follow suit.

One protester wrote: "We already have a serious problem when patrons of existing town centre premises disperse throughout the town.

"It will attract people from other areas and inadequate public transport will exacerbate the problem."

Another wrote: "Our police and taxis cannot cope now. This is madness."

The police have objected to the applications, stating: "Alcohol is a major cause of problems in the town. Any disorder will be displaced to a later hour to the detriment of local residents."

The Vintner's Parrot also wants to increase its customer capacity from 160 to 550.