With five-miles of award winning coastline, a thriving shopping centre, theatres, leisure centres and sports facilities Worthing is a great place for a family to live.

Once famous as the town with the largest proportion of residents aged over 65, Worthing has shaken off its old image and has a much more even mix of ages with an exciting and vibrant atmosphere where even the pensioners seem young.

Worthing was a small fishing village until the late 18th century when the fashion for sea bathing made it a popular resort which attracted the rich and famous.

At high tide the town has five miles of shingle beach, but when the tide is low acres of sand are exposed, making it a perfect place for youngsters to run around.

The pier with its pavilion theatre and the neighbouring lido are notable seafront landmarks. The original pier was opened in 1862. A few mishaps befell it over the years, including fire and storm damage, and in 1935 it was remodelled into its present form, although a section of it was blown up in 1940 as a precaution against an enemy landing. The Pavilion Theatre was built in 1926 and the Lido in 1928.

The pier is grade II-listed and is now the home of the annual International Birdman Competition. This spectacular event attracts competitors from round the world and offers a prize of £10,000 for the furthest flight over 100 metres.

Worthing was the scene of the Salvation Army riots in 1884. A makeshift rabble known as the Skeleton Army disrupted and opposed The Salvation Army’s marches against alcohol.

The Skeletons rioted and tried to burn down The Salvation Army barracks. Landlord, George Head, a Salvation Army supporter, defended members, and the property with a revolver, wounding several people.

The grade II-listed archbishop’s palace at Tarring is the oldest building in the borough.

Worthing is a great place to watch or play bowls, with Beach House Park hosting the English Bowling Association National Championships for more than 25 years, and also staging the World Bowls in 1972 and 1992.

The town is dotted with parks, gardens and sports fields so you never have to go far to find a bit of peace and quiet or exciting sports action.

One of the best-loved gardens in the area is Highdown Garden, situated just off the A259 between Ferring and Goring.

These are the work of Sir Frederick and Lady Stern, who spent 50 years developing the garden, which has a unique collection of rare plants and trees.