A second Mid Sussex town is taking new steps to encourage more businesses to join forces and boost the area's economy.

Haywards Heath Business Association is reorganising its membership policy in a bid to bring in new members.

It intends to scrap subscription-only membership so that all businesses in the town will automatically be members, which it is hoped will persuade more firms to exchange ideas on promoting Haywards Heath.

Association spokesman Ruth de Mierre said: "We are opening out so that unless businesses say no they don't want it, everyone will be a member.

"We are going to involve every business. Those I have spoken to have said it is a brilliant idea.

"The subscription system meant we were representative of the majority of businesses but we weren't putting the voice of all of them forward."

The new system is being introduced in January. When the plans are finalised, the association will write to all companies involved.

Because the scheme will mean the loss of membership fees, the association hopes to generate more financial support from local businesses and is also looking at possible help from Mid Sussex Council.