Critics today blasted plans for only a "minimal" upgrade of a swimming pool facing a cash crisis.

Leisure officers launched an investigation after it was reported the Aquarena in Brighton Road, Worthing, would make £155,120 less than expected this year Councillors had budgeted for a deficit of £54,100 and the borough council may inject an emergency £50,000 to upgrade facilities in a bid to attract swimmers.

But councillor Steven Waight, leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, accused the ruling Liberal Democrats of "sticking plaster solutions".

He feared £2 million from the sale of Hill Barn Golf Club was being frittered away and warned that once the money was gone, Worthing would still be left with old-fashioned facilities.

But this was rejected as nonsense by Councillor Chris Sargent, chairman of economic development on the council.

Bryn Phillips, manager of the Aquarena, said: "Clearly a range of managerial action is necessary.

"It is also anticipated that, subject to final agreement of the budget, some capital resources will be available to undertake a minimal upgrade or improvement to parts of the facility.

"Detailed discussions have yet to take place to determine how much will need to be spent on essential building and plant items and how much can be spent on work which may have a more immediate payback in terms of income, or at least slowing the rate of decline.

"It is undoubtedly true that the building is now looking its age. Even if were possible to spend the whole of the anticipated capital sum on visible improvements this would do little to address the problem."

Mr Phillips said use of the gym had been affected by the opening of a new club in Rustington, while people also had more choice of swimming pools, such as Steyning.

Now an action plan is being drawn up in a bid to entice more customers.

Managers are planning an extensive newspaper advertising campaign, a new membership package to include free admission to off-peak aerobic and keep fit classes, complementary sunbed sessions for new members and focus group meetings with members on value for money and improvements to facilities.

There will be three additional children's swimming courses, an open day and two more aquaerobics classes per week.

Councillors will discuss the Aquarena at a meeting on Monday.