Sussex councils have been named and shamed as among the worst authorities in the country for handing out housing benefits.

Figures published for the first time by the Department for Work and Pensions show officers at Wealden Council took an average of 68 days to settle a fresh claim.

Crawley Council also took 68 days - putting the authorities in the 25 per cent worst councils in the country.

The average time taken to settle a claim was 47 days.

Rother took only eight days to settle claims, making it among the best 25 per cent in the country.

Other councils which performed better thanaverage included Brighton and Hove (38 days), Adur (29), Horsham (38), Mid Sussex (33), Worthing (25), and Hastings (41).

Housing benefit minister Malcolm Wicks said: "It is right and proper the public sees how well or how badly a council is doing.

"It is unacceptable that the worst performing councils take much longer to process claims than the best performers.

"Council leaders need to take responsibility where there are serious performance failures and act to improve delivery."

Mr Wicks said: "Good housing benefit performance can have a significant impact in tackling poverty and providing opportunity.

"Poor performance restricts opportunity and leaves people facing financial problems."

It is the first time councils have had to publish figures on how quickly they process housing and Council Tax benefit claims.

The statistics cover July to September last year.

Eastbourne settled claims in 55 days, Lewes 47, Arun 53 and Crawley 54.