The worst eyesore on Worthing seafront may be demolished after blighting the town for 30 years.

Experts say the condition of Grafton multi-storey car park, opposite the Lido, is giving serious cause for concern.

This year, more than £200,000 has been spent on repairs and now borough councillors are considering its demolition and replacement.

The news will delight conservation watchdogs, who have long regarded the Grafton multi-storey as a major blot on the landscape.

Robert Elleray, chairman of the Worthing Society, said: "It is the biggest eyesore on the seafront and if it was demolished the building which replaces it would have to be a very high standard of design."

The council fears it will have to spend £6 million over the next decade on updating the town centre's three multi-storeys, built in the Seventies.

But it has only £1 million, prompting talks with consultants with a view to bringing in private operators to run the Grafton, Buckingham Road and High Street car parks and provide the cash for a revamp.

The council is paying consultants £55,000 to map out a future strategy, which includes the possible demolition of the Grafton site.

Haydn Smith, the borough's assistant director of health and housing services, said: "Maintenance costs are rising and will continue to do so unless major refurbishment is considered.

"The condition of the Grafton multi-storey in particular is giving serious cause for concern and during the current year repairs costing £157,000 and over £50,000 in maintenance spending was necessary.

"A failure to tackle repairs and refurbishments will inevitably lead to one or more of the multi-storeys being closed, with adverse consequences for the town.

"External funding for car park improvements is the only viable option in the forseeable future."

But councillors are concerned they will have to relinquish control of the cost of car parking, allowing private operators to set their own prices.

A spokesman for the consultants said: "Any potential partner would like to be able to control parking fees and to charge the optimum fee to make the optimum profit."