Sussex could stage 12 Ryman Division One derbies next season if a league shake-up gets the go-ahead.

Ryman League bosses want to scrap the current four-tier system as they fight to retain their status as a feeder to the Nationwide Conference.

They believe a switch to a regionalised Division One would put them in line with the Dr Martens League and allow clubs to move more swiftly through the ranks.

If the plan goes ahead, next season's Ryman Premier would comprise 24 clubs, with just one team going down at the end of this term.

Division One would be divided into North and South sections, each with 24 teams.

These would include the 19 teams who finish below the promotion places in Division One this season, the 19 who finish clear of relegation in Division Two and the top six in Division Three.

Providing Worthing miss out on Division One promotion and Lewes maintain their excellent form in Division Three, all four Sussex teams would find themselves in Division One South next season.

Horsham and Lewes could also look forward to moving into the FA Trophy and would be given a season to meet Division One ground-grading requirements.

There would also be no more time-consuming and costly away trips to distant venues such as Bedford, Wivenhoe and Arlesey.

Ryman League secretary Nick Robinson said: "We have wanted to change the structure for some time and, with the push coming from the Conference, this seems to be an ideal time."

He added: "We have never had a moan from Sussex clubs about the travelling they have to do.

"I don't think it would mean an enormous financial saving but it might encourage more players to join these clubs if they knew they would not have to do so much travelling."

If clubs vote in favour of the reshuffle when they meet at Harlow FC on December 29, their decision will impact to varying degrees on the Sussex quartet.

Lewes could find themselves elevated two divisions while Horsham would have no need to chase promotion and Bognor would be free of relegation worries.

The impact would be less on Worthing, though it may offer extra incentive to clinch promotion this season given only two teams will go up from each section of Division One in future years.

Rebels were this week deciding which way to vote but chairman Beau Reynolds said: "Personally I think it would be a good thing."

Bognor boss Jack Pearce was not so sure but admitted: "If this is what will save the league then I think it is a fait accompli.

"We deplore the actions of the Conference and Northern and Southern Leagues in trying to reduce the status of the Ryman."

Horsham and Lewes are both backing the move.