A hearing to decide whether a controversial superpub should be granted a liquor licence has been delayed.

The Bar Med chain was due to go ahead with the hearing today but now it has been adjourned pending an appeal on an earlier decision.

The pub chain is expected to appeal against a rejection of their application for a pub in Chapel Road, Worthing, to stay open until midnight.

Residents launched a campaign against the plans to open the £1 million pub as they feared it would open the floodgates for late night drinking.

The pub is unlikely to open until after the application is heard.

It is seen as a test case in the town.