A library may be built in Worthing despite a continuing drop in the number of people using the service in West Sussex.

A new library for West Durrington, where thousands of new homes are planned, has been given a high priority rating in a new libraries plan for the county.

Council officials will also carry out an assessment which could lead to the village of Barnham, near Bognor, getting a library.

Both projects could be finished within three years. West Sussex County Council also says it will spend £1.5 million this year on new books.

The proposals come in spite of new figures showing that the number of people using libraries is continuing to fall.

Last year there were 6,572 visits to libraries in West Sussex per 1,000 population, compared with 6,736 in 1998 and 7,348 the previous year.

According to a council report, big cuts in the cost of paperbacks may be a factor. It also says the figures do not take into account more generous lending limits, which mean people visit libraries less often.

It says demand for information being placed on reference libraries has increased.

Councillors have been told there is not enough money to keep some small libraries open during lunchtimes.

But a report says West Sussex has managed to avoid going down the road of some councils which have closed libraries completely to cut costs.