A "radical and visionary" bid to transform Worthing seafront has been given the go-ahead.

Councillors last night backed plans for a £150,000 revamp of Worthing seafront, which by next summer will boast giant palms and new lights.

Coun Tim Dice, a leading campaigner, said this was the first stage in a five-year plan to revive the promenade, which has been neglected for years.

But he was forced to shelve controversial proposals to convert a public toilet opposite the Dome cinema into a cafe following an outcry over the loss of the loos.

Plans for a privately-financed sea fountain south of the pier were also put on hold.

Eighteen palm-like cordylines, which will have 12ft high trunks, with foliage on top making them even taller, will be planted along the front in time for next spring.

There will also be nine 6ft palms in giant pots in the vicinity of the Denton Lounge and the Lido.

Total cost of the planting, which also includes oak hedging, will be £37,000.

Other initiatives include new white rope lighting on the ornate lamp standards between Splash Point and Heene Road at a cost of £9,000.

The Pavilion Theatre will also be lit up for the sum at £36,500, with technicians able to change the colour of the roof lighting to make the venue stand out.

There are plans to improve the beach shelter immediately west of the Lido at a cost of £30,000, plus the £24,400 replacement of 31 rusting poles which hold up the seafront lights.

Information boards, charting the history of Worthing Pier and the pastime of "promenading" are also envisaged, along with eight flagpoles on the pier.

Coun Dice said the scheme was radical and visionary and there was more to come in successive years.

Economic development officer Tim Preston said he expected to hear in the next fortnight whether a bid for £300,000 from English Heritage had been successful.

He said: "This is very much phase one of the programme. There is an awful lot of work to be done."

There were plans for a refreshments kiosk on the pier at a later date.

Coun Sheila Player said that East Worthing must not be overlooked, while Coun John Lovell said £30,000 to upgrade a beach shelter seemed rather excessive.

Mr Preston said once ornate mouldings had been created the cost of improving the other shelters would fall.