Veteran morals crusader Steve Stevens is claiming victory after a controversial sex shop closed.

But he faces a new fight because adult goods chain Pillow Talk plans to take over the vacant shop next week.

Secret Desires in Rowlands Road, Worthing, was cleared of stock just weeks before councillors were due to hear a fourth application for a new licence.

Three previous bids had been thrown out.

Mr Stevens, 89, of Rowlands Road, said of the new shop: "I will campaign against it of course.

"I think they would be very ill-advised to try to do anything in this town."

Tony Gonzalez, of Pillow Talk, said: "Hopefully we should be up and running by the middle of next week."