EXCLUSIVE: Seafront campaigners are today dismayed after being told that a revamp of Worthing promenade has been put on hold.

Liberal Democrat leaders of Worthing Borough Council said there was no money in the budget to upgrade facilities in 2003/04.

But the decision to freeze spending has angered people who have been bidding to breathe new life into the town's visitor showpiece.

Councillor Brian Lynn, who was leader of the Conservative group which made promenade improvements a priority before the Lib Dems took power, said: "I think it is a great mistake and they will regret it."

Under the Tories, more than £200,000 was spent on the seafront, paying for a new beach shelter, lighting and cordyline and palm trees.

Lib Dems bowed to public pressure and allocated £94,000 left in the budget when they took over to pay for another new shelter and the revamp of vandal-plagued Windsor Lawns in East Worthing.

But assistant borough treasurer Andrew Gardiner said: "We are going to miss a year but there is going to be £100,000 put in the 2004/05 budget.

"They want to spend the money on the leisure centre and Aquarena swimming pool instead. Improvements to these facilities were deemed to be more pressing.

"The administration is taking the view that what has been done is very much the first phase but it is looking to do another phase in a couple of years' time."

Councillor John Lovell, deputy leader of the Lib Dems, said money from a developer would be used for the seafront in 2004/05.

Roffey Homes, which is building 72 luxury flats on the former Warnes Hotel site, has pledged £50,000 towards improvements.

Councillor Lynn said: "The Lib Dems have been backpedalling since they took over. We were going to put more cordylines in and continue the excellent start we made which has gone down so well with the public."

Sue Murray, who chairs the Worthing Hospitality Association, said: "We understand fully the budgetary constraints. Naturally, we are very disappointed and hope this is just a blip."