A new swimming pool complex is to get a multi-million pound boost - funded by the sale of one of the grimmest eyesores in Sussex.

Worthing Borough Council has agreed to sell the seafront Grafton multi-storey car park site, regarded by critics as a major blight, for £10 million.

The cash will be used to help fund a modern swimming complex at Teville Gate, near the main railway station.

Councillor Paul High, cabinet member for leisure and cultural services, said most of the money was now in place to build the 25m pool, which will replace the Sixties' Aquarena in Brighton Road, and refurbish the main leisure centre at West Park, Durrington.

The total cost has been estimated at £24 million.

Coun High said money from the sale of Hill Barn Golf Course, Worthing, and land for housing off Littlehampton Road, Worthing, was already in the bank.

The coffers would be further swelled by the sale of prime development land bordering the seafront between Sea Place and Eirene Road, Goring.

The council chose for the Grafton site a scheme featuring apartments, shops and a new multi-storey car park which was submitted by developer City and Provincial.

The plans include a pedestrian link between Montague Street and the seafront.

The council regards the Grafton as a key component of its master plan, due in the spring, for the redevelopment of 17 key town centre sites.

Councillor Keith Mercer, leader of the council, said: "We've achieved the first crucial building block of Worthing's regeneration as identified in the master plan. This will create a multi-million pound investment for the town and provide the council with an early capital receipt of £10 million."

City and Provincial hopes to submit a planning application in the summer, with work expected to start in 2007.

Meanwhile, new plans for Teville Gate are being drawn up by developer Hanson Capital Management following a lukewarm response from the public to the first scheme it tabled.

Critics said the initial proposals, with a glass tower block up to 24 storeys, was too large.

Now, instead of one big tower, two less bulky blocks are being considered, one possibly seven storeys high and the other up to 19 storeys, with a covered walkway linking the town centre to the railway station running between them.

The £100 million scheme would include the swimming pool, a multi-screen cinema, tenpin bowling centre, bingo hall, shops, cafes, restaurants and 600 car spaces.