Two West Sussex villages could be included inside the proposed South Downs national park, countryside chiefs announced today.

Steyning, Bramber and the Adur Valley as far north as Stretham Manor is the major addition to revised boundaries published today.

But Rottingdean, where there was a vocal campaign for the village to be included, has been left out.

Lewes and Arundel, controversially included in draft boundaries of the proposed national park unveiled last year, remain inside.

The major change around Brighton and Hove is the exclusion of Toad's Hole Valley, a disappointment for conservationists.

There are more than 50 changes to the draft boundaries, the bulk of them minor. The Countryside Agency's board will consider them on Thursday.

Rottingdean Parish Council chairman John Commin said he was disappointed the village had not been included.

He said: "I would have thought Steyning and Bramber have a large amount of urban development, so to that extent I am puzzled why Rottingdean has not been included."

There are no major changes to two proposed sites for the Albion's community stadium at Falmer. Village Way North remains outside the boundary line, while Village Way South is inside.

A large area of the west Weald, north of Petworth and stretching to the Surrey border, is included, despite objections from the Sussex Downs Conservation Board.

Chris Todd, of the pro-national park South Downs Campaign, praised the agency for resisting sometimes fierce lobbying for a smaller park.

But he said it should have done more to include fringe areas, such as those on the edge of Brighton and Hove.

The Countryside Agency said it could not comment in advance of Thursday's meeting.