Police have rejected calls to set up a "wet garden" for street drinkers just yards from their custody centre.

Senior politicians tabled the idea in a bid to rid Worthing seafront of aggressive drunks who have made beach shelters no-go zones for families.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley said the drinkers should be allowed to booze in a grassy area next to the town's police cells at the rear of Centenary House, Durrington.

He was backed by borough councillors Tom Wye and John Rogers, who both demanded that the drunks were cleared off the seafront so it could be reclaimed by residents and visitors.

They believed Centenary House was an ideal location because officers could keep a close watch on the drinkers.

Coun Wye said: "I can think of no better place."

Coun Rogers, the cabinet member for community safety, said: "I have made it absolutely crystal clear to the police that we don't want them on the seafront. We have suggested the grassy area outside Centenary House would be the ideal place."

Mr Bottomley said: "If people think there should be a place where certain behaviour should be tolerated in my view it should be out of sight behind the police headquarters at Centenary House, where they could be observed by the police, social services and other partnership agencies."

But Insp Howard Hodges dismissed the suggestion, stating: "There is no point putting a wet garden on the edge of the town where they won't be able to obtain the services they need."

The borough council recently fenced off a shelter opposite West Buildings after gangs of drunks took it over, some of them sleeping rough overnight.

Last year the council had to shut down three shelters, prompting claims that the police lost control of the situation, an accusation they refute.

The authorities estimated there was a hardcore of about 30 street drinkers in the town, but only a minority was homeless.

Following mounting public concern the police have drafted in a four-strong team - two constables and two community support officers - paying special attention to the problem.

Coun Rogers said: "We shall have to wait and see how it goes."

Coun Wye said: "If our residents and holidaymakers feel intimidated when they walk along the promenade something is wrong.

"Worthing is a seaside town, and drunks are ruining the promenade. It is not a minor issue. I believe it is a major issue. I am looking to the police to clear the unsavoury characters off our prom."

Mr Bottomley said the drunks needed help, but added: "I also believe it is intolerable for any part of Worthing seafront to become a distressed area for behaviour which is so disgusting that ordinary people are put off using one of Worthing's greatest amenities."

Insp Hodges said: "In recognition of the issue a team of four has been created for a period of six months. They will work very closely in partnership with the community safety unit and outreach workers.

"These people do need support to get their lives back on track. They are a distinct community who have rights, but that doesn't mean we won't enforce the law when they breach it."