The Mayor of Worthing is under fire after using the f-word in front of a six-year-old.

Councillor James Doyle last night admitted an angry four-letter exchange with Jason Keffert, who was cycling illegally on Worthing's seafront with his son, Harvey.

But he said he was asking the man: "Why are you telling me to f*** off?"

Mr Keffert, who insists he would never swear in front of his child, has complained to West Worthing Conservative MP Peter Bottomley following the row on Sunday.

He said: "Yes, I was cycling on a 'no cycling' path with my son, but no matter what the situation I wouldn't expect to hear 'f*** off' from the mayor of Worthing. I heard it, his wife heard it and so did my son.

"I am not offended by swearing personally but certainly take offence when it's done near my children."

Mr Keffert, 33, a photographer, of Nutley Drive, Goring, was making slow progress - with his son in a special seat on the bike - when he was approached by Coun Doyle and mayoress Mel Doyle, a police officer.

The mayor told Mr Keffert to dismount.

But Mr Keffert referred to the mayor's badge of office as "a boy Scout badge" - and says Coun Doyle then uttered the obscenity.

Mr Keffert said: "I pointed out to him what he had said in front of my son, his wife realised the serious nature of the situation and pulled him away to calm him down, telling him to 'just let it go'."

Mr Keffert does not want Coun Doyle to resign but said: "A written apology would be fine."

Coun Doyle said last night he was sorry the argument with Mr Keffert had "escalated" but added: "He became aggressive to me and he was the one who used those words.

"I have to admit, I did say 'why did you tell me to f*** off?' because he used those words to me.

"I regretted repeating those words and I felt I had a duty to stop him and ask him not to cycle on the seafront."

It was unclear last night whether any action would be taken.