People living in Worthing's most historic street say their quality of life is damaged by drunken revellers spilling out of new town-centre bars.

Residents of Ambrose Place, a listed terrace off Chapel Road, say they are plagued by late-night noise, vandalism, and drunks using their gardens as toilets.

Many blame Worthing Borough Council, which gave permission for the bars to open but ignored concerns about fighting and shouting after hundreds of people spill out on to the streets when the pubs shut.

They said there was a noticeable increase in noise and disturbance since the Cafe Central and the Toad opened in Chapel Road.

There is concern the problems will get even worse when a Wetherspoons pub opens before the end of the year.

Pat Owen, of Ambrose Place, said: "It affects us when people come out of these bars late at night and get into their cars. "They are very noisy and it got worse since these new bars opened. We do worry about vandalism, graffiti and people urinating in our gardens.

"This is a grade-II listed road and it has a lot of attractive qualities, but one of our main worries is that people won't want to live here in future."

Resident Marie Pringle said: "Cars are being vandalised and we have had people trampling through our gardens. There are often arguments outside our homes when the pubs close.

"It was awful during the summer. We love the place, and you have to accept noise if you live in the centre of town, but youngsters today get so destructive after they have had a few drinks."

Ward councillor Ailsa Stuart said there had been an escalation in trouble and she called for a greater police presence on the streets after 11pm.

She said: "I fully sympathise with the people living in Ambrose Place, Rivoli Court and Wenban Road area. It is very disappointing the police do not present a higher profile at kicking-out time."

Mrs Stuart said there must be a question mark on any future residential development in the town centre due to the level of disturbance experienced by people already living there.

A police spokesman said: "There has been no significant increase in complaints linked directly to licensed premises in the Chapel Road area.

"Closing time is constantly monitored and reviewed by the Highdown licensing officer, along with beat officers and patrol personnel."