Residents and councillors are concerned over plans to expand night spots in a Worthing town centre street which is already packed with bars.

There are five venues in Chapel Road and a sixth giant venue is planned.

Now proposals have been put forward to expand the size and hours of existing venues.

Residents are already angry about the number of bars and pubs in the town and say anti-social behaviour is on the rise.

Worthing Borough Council's licensing panel was meeting to discuss plans to increase capacity at the Toad at the Presshouse in Chapel Road, from 450 to 525 today.

The original application to open the venue was met with opposition from local residents. A 33-signature petition was sent to the council and complaints included worries about anti-social behaviour, increased vandalism and lack of parking.

Other people were concerned noisy live music would destroy their peace.

Councillors will hear there have been no complaints about the venue in the last six months and were recommended to approve the plans.

The Q Club in Chatsworth Road also wants to increase its capacity, from 650 to 690.

Neighbours have raised concerns about additional litter and vandalism but officers say it would be hard to gauge the extra level of noise if 40 more people were allowed.

One of the most controversial applications is for an extension of opening hours on Sunday at Rutherford's nightclub on Worthing Pier.

The club wants to increase its opening hours from 10.30pm to 1am on Sunday nights including Easter Sunday.

Councillor Maurice Tucker, who sits on the borough council's licensing panel, said: "That could change the nature of a Sunday dramatically and that really could be controversial. If that happens what does that mean for takeaways and so on and police monitoring trouble?"

Previously Coun Tucker, who represents the town centre, said there were too many bars in his ward.

Janice Moth, 33, of Brougham Road, Worthing, said: "There are far too many pubs and bars. You feel intimidated as a woman to be wandering around when there are so many people here.

"I do not know why they want to increase venues that are already here as we already have far too many. They are pretty faceless places anyway."