A council is set to campaign for the return of a courthouse after a break of almost 30 years.

The magistrates court at Littlehampton was closed in the early Seventies when cases were transferred to neighbouring Arundel.

Now Arundel's historic courthouse is preparing to close as part of a plan to merge the West and East Sussex magistrates courts committee.

The change will mean that people living in the Arun district who are facing criminal charges will have to travel to Chichester or Worthing.

A magistrates court at Bognor, which is also part of the district, was shut in the Seventies when court cases and inquests were switched to Chichester.

Arun councillors are to ask a shadow committee, which is drawing up the merger plans, for the two counties to consider sending magistrates to Littlehampton again.

The issue will be debated tomorrow by the full council which is unlikely to oppose the Arundel closure, due to take effect by the end of 2001.

A report to the committee says: "The Arundel courthouse is seen by many as a traditional part of the town. However, it is recognised that the existing building has limitations in terms of accessibility and space."

Arun District Council officers claim when the court at Littlehampton was shut, the West Sussex courts committee pledged it would be brought back at some stage to meet the needs of the community.

Councillors are being recommended to back a motion urging the shadow committee "to honour its predecessor's promise that courtroom facilities will be provided in Littlehampton".