Businesses are to be consulted on the introduction of an American-style tax scheme.

Eastbourne Borough Council is considering bringing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to the town.

If the scheme went ahead, shops and factories would pay a levy to pay for improvements in their area of the town.

The council's Cabinet committee voted in favour of putting the scheme out to consultation on Wednesday.

But Councillor Bob Lacey warned: "It's a Trojan horse to allow businesses to tax themselves twice, once with the rates and again with this tax.

"However, businesses should have the right to discuss the opportunity."

Council Leader Graham Marsden said he took a more optimistic view of the scheme.

He added: "It looks at ways we can work together with the business community but it's very much in its early days."

More than 1,200 BIDs have been established in America and Canada to pay for maintenance and extra police patrols.