Plans for a seafront cycle lane in Worthing could be scuppered by a legal document dating back to 1935, campaigners believe.

The deeds were unearthed by Goring Residents' Association, which opposes proposals for an off-road lane running parallel to the shore in Goring.

Richard Waller, chairman of the association, said the deeds showed there "shall be no vehicular traffic along the greensward, which includes not only the green but also the foreshore".

Campaigners believe this applies to bikes as well as cars.

A 350-name petition against the lane was presented to the executive of Worthing Borough Council and a copy of the deeds, relating to the Goring Hall Estate, was shown to councillors.

Mr Waller said: "We now await detailed plans for the cycle track so we can oppose these in detail.

"We believe the existing South Coast Cycle Route along Marine Drive and Marine Crescent is fine and we do not want it changed."

Simon Aley, the council's head of legal services, said he had not seen the deeds and did not know if they were legally binding.

But he has invited the association to discuss the matter with a council barrister.

Mr Aley said: "They have made a number of points based on their interpretation.

"If there is an issue we need to look at further we shall do so once we have had that discussion.

"They were very keen to take up our offer to talk but we have not heard from them yet."

Mr Aley said "vehicular traffic" usually referred to vehicles with engines, so bicycles did not apply.

Mr Waller also wants to know how many Tamarisk bushes lining the seafront would be destroyed if the lane was installed but the council was unable to say how many.

Objectors have lost their battle to stop a mini housing estate being built on their doorsteps.

Worthing Borough Council received 20 letters protesting against plans to demolish two large properties, The White House and Wellington House in Durrington Hill, and replace them with 13 houses and nine flats.

Critics, including residents in Hammond Drive, argued that too many houses were planned for the site.