Developers could be ordered to spend £25,000 on replacing a roof because it is the wrong shade of green.

The £50,000 aluminium roof of a new police custody centre at Centenary House, Durrington, Worthing, was supposed to be jade green to blend with surrounding buildings.

But contractors fitted a structure in the lighter shade of moorland green.

The blunder meant developer Sussex Custodial Services was in breach of planning conditions.

Now it could be ordered to replace the roof or re-coat or overclad it with materials in the right shade at a cost of up to £25,000.

The company has written to Worthing Borough Council apologising for the error.

Project director Des Ramsay said: "We put our hands up to the mistake.

"Unfortunately, there was a mix-up with the drawings for the site. The colour was changed from moorland green to jade green but the contractors went ahead with the old plans and used the wrong colour.

"From our point of view, there is not much in it. But obviously we made a mistake and will have to wait to see whether the council allows the different shade.

"It would be a big job to remove the roof. Another option would be to recoat it in the right colour or overclad it. That would be our responsibility."

Council planning officers said the main issue was the visual impact of the wrong green.

A spokesman said: "Officers have inspected the building carefully and are of the view that although the lighter material is not quite the same as that which was approved, the shape and design of the roof is such that the impact is extremely limited.

"In particular, the building is screened from the west by a tall row of trees and there are not good views from the north or south. The main view of the roof is from the east."

The council was under the impression a new police custody centre at Chichester may have been given the roof of the Durrington centre.

The spokesman said: "It is understood a similar error has been made with the roof on the police custody centre in Chichester. In effect, Worthing has Chichester's roof and vice versa."

But Mr Ramsay denied the new centre at Chichester had the wrong- coloured roof. He said: "The one at Chichester doesn't have a green roof - it is merlin grey. Its roof meets the planning requirements."

Chichester District Council was also unaware of any mix-up.

The planning committee which approved the original jade green for the Durrington centre will decide on Monday whether to turn a blind eye to the infringement or to serve an enforcement order on the developers.

Samples of the roofing materials will be available for councillors to inspect.

The developers hope they may be let off with a caution as council officers are recommending no further action.