A leading councillor today criticised traders for failing to support Worthing's struggling Christmas lights appeal.

So far only £5,000 has been raised towards a £21,000 campaign to decorate Worthing town centre with festive illuminations.

With the appeal on its knees, Worthing Council has pledged a further £5,000 in a bid to kick-start a response from shopkeepers.

Chris Sargent, executive member for planning and economic development, said: "We don't want Worthing to be left behind. We want the town to have a spectacular display.

"But the appeal the Town Centre Initiative put out to local traders hasn't raised a great deal of money. I am really rather disappointed.

"Rather than leave them with virtually nothing I have agreed to match the £5,000 they have raised.

"There are something like 700 traders in the town. That's only £30 per trader. If you take the big traders you would expect them to put in much more."

Town centre manager Anne Angel spoke last week of her frustration over the failure of many traders to support the lights campaign.

Hundreds of businesses were contacted but only a fraction have so far contributed, including The Argus, which donated £1,000 for the second year running.

Mrs Angel pleaded with shopkeepers to contact her in a bid to rally support.

With only weeks to go before the Christmas shopping season gets into full-swing, there is still £11,000 to raise if Worthing's illuminations are to stand any chance of matching the displays put on by rival shopping centres Brighton and Horsham.

Chris Spratt, chairman of the Town Centre Initiative, which is spearheading the campaign, said the council's promise was like a "white knight coming to the rescue".

He said: "That puts us well on course to improve on last year's display and we hope there will be even more donations coming in."

Worthing is staging a Victorian Christmas Festival on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, including a funfair in Montague Place and an ice rink in South Place.

Other attractions include a pantomime roadshow in South Street Square on November 16, featuring stars from forthcoming pantomimes, with the mayor switching on the Christmas lights at 5pm, followed by a laser show with music.

Late shopping nights will be held in the town on November 28, December 5, 12, and 19, when most shops will open until 8pm or 9pm.

On November 28, there will be free children's amusements and a Splash FM road show.

Christmas craft markets are being held in Montague Street on November 30 and December 13, 14 and 15.