The Lib Dems have corrected their election leaflets after accusing council leaders of spending more on palm trees than they actually had.

Leaflets distributed ahead of the May 2 local council elections said the 18 tropical palm trees along Worthing seafront cost the council £1,000 each. In fact, the trees cost £315 apiece.

Lib Dem leader Sheila Player said they held their hands up to the mistake.

She said: "Once we knew the figure was wrong we put a correction in our second leaflet, but it was too late to change our first leaflet which had already gone out."

The inaccurate leaflet angered Sue Murray, chairman of Worthing Hospitality Association, which represents the town's hotels, guest houses and restaurants.

She said everybody had commented favourably on the cordylines, part of a campaign to improve the seafront for visitors and residents.

The 13ft trees, imported from Pistoria in Italy, have been planted between Splash Point and Western Place.

Campaigners hope they will help recapture the glory years of the early 20th Century, when Worthing was known as the Madeira of England due to its warm weather and spectacular floral displays.