Voters in a referendum in Bognor want to ditch Arun District Council and have called for a new authority to be created for their town.

Ninety-six per cent of those polled said they wanted to break away from the council, which they say is running their services down.

They voted with a similar majority to keep Bognor Town Hall for civic purposes.

Town mayor Jan Cosgrove said: "This poll sends a clear message to the people in power that Bognor wants a new system of local government because the one we have got is not working."

Yesterday's referendum was called after the district council announced it would be reviewing the use of Bognor Town Hall.

One voter said: "It's our town hall and we should decide what happens to it. I think everyone who votes will vote to keep it as it is."