Campaigners forced their way into the foyer of council offices to demand proposals for a major riverbank development are thrown out.

The group arrived at the offices of Arun Council in Littlehampton armed with more than 4,000 letters and signatures opposing a planned multi-million pound development of the town's East Bank.

Arun chief executive Ian Sumnall agreed to accept the letters and petition on the council's behalf.

He said: "The group were trying to go for as much publicity as possible which is why they came into the building as they did. We have now taken the petition and letters and they will be taken into account when a final decision is made."

Yesterday's protest was the latest development in an on-going dispute between the district council and Littlehampton's fishing industry over the planned development.

The petition was organised by local fishermen, the Arun River Users Group, the Littlehampton Civic Society and the Federation of Small Businesses who say the proposals will destroy the town's fishing industry.

Protesters are backing fisherman Clive Mills who is facing a jail sentence after refusing to leave his moorings at Norfolk Wharf on the East Bank despite a court order telling him to leave by August 1.

Mr Mills said: "The council seems determined to carry on with this development despite the fact that is is going to ruin me.

"I have fished here all my life. The future is very uncertain but I had to do everything I could to try and save my livelihood. The heart is being ripped out of this town."