A supermarket giant plans to buy college land in Worthing for almost £20 million and build a new store there.

The deal between Asda and Worthing College, in Bolsover Road, would also create a modern "superschool" - but it depends on planning permission being granted.

Applications are being submitted to Worthing Borough Council at the end of the week after four years of research and negotiation.

But they are likely to suffer a backlash from residents of homes overlooking the site and shops in The Strand.

If permission is granted the supermarket will pay the college almost £20 million for the site, which college principal John Robinson plans to channel into a three-storey school block with an indoor sports centre.

The site of the existing sixth-form college building will be replaced by a 45,000 sq ft Asda store and more than 600 car parking bays.

The new school building will be built where grass playing fields are now.

If borough council planners give the store the go-ahead it will create 450 jobs.

Mr Robinson thinks every possible problem has been addressed.

The college will lose two soccer pitches and a netball court but will gain five indoor badminton courts, a fitness suite and a floodlit artificial turf pitch.

Mr Robinson said: "As the decade goes on our buildings are becoming increasingly unsuitable.

"This will be a high quality, energy efficient and environmentally friendly building. It will be really state-of-the art to support and match the education."

The existing school would not be demolished until the new one was built.

An Asda spokesman said: "ASDA wants to be in Worthing where we don't have a store.

"It will be of mutual benefit for the school and us, and for the people of Worthing there will be massive benefits. It's a win-win situation."

Asked about the impact of the new store on nearby houses and shops, the spokesman said: "We will bring a lot of shoppers back into this area who are currently getting into their cars and driving elsewhere.

"We've had a lot of discussions with Worthing Borough Council and the initial response we've had has encouraged us to take it further to this stage."

The store and college are hopeful that the development could be up and running as early as 2005.