Plans for a new multi-million pound sewage works for Sussex have sparked anger and look likely to provoke bitter campaigns at all potential sites.

Southern Water formally unveiled the eight possible locations for a waste water and sludge recycling centre yesterday.

The plant, desperately needed to deal with sewage produced in Brighton and Hove, is expected to cost between £140 million and £200 million.

The figure is three times the cost of the projected works for Portobello, Telscombe Cliffs, which was rejected after a public inquiry two years ago.

Southern Water bosses said Portobello may have to be reconsidered if none of the eight new sites are approved.

They accepted the shortlist would be controversial but said Brighton and Hove was the only place in Sussex without modern treatment facilities and the plant had to be built.

If not, the city, which produces 95 million litres of waste water every day, would be unable to meet new European seawater standards, possibly leading to the EU imposing huge fines on the Government.

The eight potential sites are at Shoreham Harbour, Black Rock, Lower Sheepcote Valley, Upper Sheepcote Valley, Ovingdean South, Peacehaven East, Brookside Farm Tip and North Quay.

Opposition everywhere was summed up by Peter Mockridge of the Association of Harbour Communities in Shoreham, who said: "It stinks, we don't want it and I would say there will be quite a backlash against it."

There was particular anger at Newhaven which has already been earmarked for a waste-burning incinerator for East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

County councillor David Rogers said the sewage plant should be sited in Brighton and Hove, not in a neighbouring community.

He said: "People in Newhaven don't want Brighton and Hove's sewage any more than they want its rubbish. I shall oppose both sites. I am sure the town will be united against it, as we are against the incinerator."

The town's MP, Norman Baker, said: "Every place along the south coast appears to have proper sewage works apart from Brighton, so Brighton should sort its own mess out."

Newhaven's Mayor Dennis Forsdike said: "People are not going to be happy."

At Peacehaven, there was a strident campaign to stop the earlier proposal at Portobello.

County councillor John Livings said: "We don't want a sewage works anywhere in East Sussex."

The remaining four sites are in Brighton and Hove but are unlikely to be less controversial.

Bob Richardson, of the Ovingdean Residents' Association, said he expected the entire village to be at a meeting scheduled for Saturday to discuss the proposal.

Bernard Evans, of the Friends of Sheepcote Valley, with two of the potential sites, said the area had been considered as part of the national park and he could not see why it was now being considered for sewage.

Southern Water is beginning consultations next week and will choose one of the eight sites before submitting a planning application.