Worthing Borough Council plans to freeze allowances paid to its councillors until November next year.

An independent panel recommended the council not to raise allowances for the next 12 months.

It said only members of the development control committee should get an extra £200 next year because of the large amount of responsibility they were given.

Councillors' allowances could total £145,800 this year. The standard allowance is £3,000 p.a. but some members receive special responsibility allowances on top of the basic figure.

This includes an extra £3,000 for executive councillors.

Council leader Sheila Player, who receives £8,000 a year, said: "I feel the panel's recommendations are very fair.

"I am pleased they have taken into consideration the heavy financial pressures already faced by the council."