A man has taken his three sisters to court in a bid to wrestle back control of their dead mother's home.

Jason McCreanney resorted to High Court action after his sisters won a court order preventing him from selling the £150,000 house in Mile Oak Road, Southwick.

Mr McCreanney, of Little Drive, South Ferring, claims his mother, Doreen McCreanney, transferred the home to him 12 years ago in return for £25,000.

She died aged 65 in February 2000.

His sisters, Jennifer McCreanney, Sarah Mansfield and Sandra Marien, argue he "coerced" their mother into signing the transfer by threatening to withhold mortgage payments.

Wendy Parker, representing Mr McCreanney, said the transaction was made in good faith on both sides because of Mrs McCreanney's spiralling debts.

She cited a letter in which Mrs McCreanney stated: "I had debts beyond my control and a solution was required quickly. It was agreed Jason should take out a mortgage and the house be transferred to his name."

Mr McCreanney is seeking a High Court order erasing the sisters' "caution" from the official charges register so the property can be sold.

However, they assert they each have "a beneficial interest" in the property and that there was an agreement that on their mother's death, the house would be shared equally.

The hearing continues.