Business leaders today stepped up their campaign to rid Worthing of an "eyesore" shopping centre.

Worthing Chamber of Commerce demanded a speeding up of the compulsory purchase of four shops remaining open on the vandal-hit Teville Gate centre.

Most of the centre's shops are boarded-up and covered in graffiti. The centre is scheduled for redevelopment into a cinema complex.

Executive member John Carne, manager of Age Concern in Worthing, said: "We are very concerned about the untidy look of the centre.

"For elderly people, the crime and vandalism in the centre is very unnerving. It is the gateway to the town but resembles a ghetto."

Last month legal experts advised Worthing Borough Council to invoke fast-track compulsory purchase orders on the four shops still open in the centre.

Mr Carne said: "The council has an opportunity to make compulsory purchase orders but they are still dragging their feet. Members of the chamber want it to take action before it is too late."

Committee member Alistair Vickers said: "We are very concerned about the council's lack of action. The centre is an eyesore and not what the town wants to portray."

But Keith Walker, who owns and runs Teville Gate Pharmacy in the centre, said he was not willing to give away years of business easily.

He said he could not move into another pharmacist's area.

Simon Aley, head of legal services at Worthing Borough Council, said: "Compulsory purchase orders take a long time and they are only a small part of the process. We are still only in the early stages.

"As part of the package, we may try to find the traders other premises."

He said the redevelopment of the centre should be completed by Summer 2003.