A town has been thrown into turmoil after the councillor due to become the Queen's Golden Jubilee mayor in a fortnight said: "I'm not doing it."

Conservative councillor John Livermore quit as mayor-elect of Worthing just hours after the Liberal Democrats seized control of the borough council.

He said he was not prepared to be a puppet of the Lib Dems for 12 months.

But a leading Lib Dem councillor accused Coun Livermore of ridiculing the position of mayor, his party and himself.

Councillor Maurice Tucker said: "It is pathetic, a disgrace. I am at somewhat of a loss to understand his reasoning."

It now seems likely Lib Dem councillor Eric Mardell will step into the seat at short notice. The Lib Dem group was holding a meeting today to make the decision.

Coun Livermore, who on Thursday night retained his Heene seat, said: "The agenda I wished to carry forward for the development and prosperity of the town would not have been possible in the circumstances.

"I therefore decided my position as mayor would not be tenable."

With the traditional mayor-making ceremony due to take place on May 17, the new Lib Dem administration will have to work quickly to appoint a successor.

Earlier this year the Lib Dems accused the Tories of breaking with protocol by snubbing their mayoral candidate, Coun Mardell.

The Conservatives, fearing the council might be hung, which would give the mayor the all-important casting vote, appointed Coun Livermore instead, so they could retain power at committee meetings.

But the move proved fruitless when the Lib Dems took three seats at the local elections and ousted the Tories.