Fears a £2 million deal to sell off a public golf course is in danger of falling through were dismissed today.

Councillors in Worthing had been asked to draw up contingency plans for the running of Hill Barn if talks broke down.

But today both the council and the prospective buyer revealed they were close to a deal.

Worthing Council had rejected a reduced offer from Chichester Golf Centre for Hill Barn, on the south-facing slopes of the Downs overlooking Worthing.

Both sides had hoped to clinch the deal by the end of this year but the council will probably have to continue managing the course until February at least.

Coun Brian Lynn, leader of the Tory opposition, said: "There is always a worry when things don't go fairly smoothly.

"I am disappointed the thing hasn't been cleared up and finished by now.

"I am hoping it will be sorted soon and be legally binding on both sides."

Hywel Griffiths, the borough's director of community services, hoped the deal would be finalised by February 1.

He said contingency plans had to be drawn up because the council's new grounds maintenance contract comes into force on January 1.

Mr Griffiths said: "We have been having a lot of discussions with the buyer. Subject to contract, the sale will be concluded.

"There are obviously details to be sorted out but these are of a confidential nature."

Richard Haygarth, proprietor of Chichester Golf Centre, said: "It is moving forward but slower than I would have liked.

"We were hoping to get the deal closed at the end of the year but that is not going to happen now.

"I am pretty confident we shall do it by the end of January."

Mr Haygarth said he planned to spend at least £300,000 on Hill Barn in the first year on a new irrigation system and green-keeping equipment.

The poor condition of the greens has forced many customers elsewhere, which meant the course raised £88,700 less than expected this year.

Mr Haygarth said: "The key factor is the greens haven't been up to standard. In the early Nineties, 70,000 rounds were played every year. It is down to about half that now."

Mr Lynn said the money from the sale of both Hill Barn and Brooklands Par 3 golf course in East Worthing, will be ploughed back into the improvement of leisure facilities around Worthing.