A developer who hoped to move four giant sculptures from a town centre to put them in his garden has been foiled by planners.

Humphrey Avon, of Worthing-based company The Avon Group, wanted to remove the bronze busts from their position at a shopping centre in Worthing and take them to his home in Bramber, near Shoreham.

But Worthing borough councillors refused to give him planning permission for the move after conservationists raised objections.

The busts, called Desert Quartet, were made by Dame Elisabeth Frink, regarded as the premier British sculptress of the 20th Century.

Mr Avon - who developed the Montague Centre and paid for the heads in the first place - offered to replace them with sculptures of two horses and two dogs by Ben Vichuda.

But the Worthing Society conservation group and national watchdogs English Heritage objected, saying the replacements were too small.

Council development control manager James Appleton said the new statues would "fail to enhance" the town centre conservation area or the £12 million shopping centre.