Worthing police are opposing plans for a superpub in a town centre road already packed with bars.

They say the number of pubs in Chapel Road, Worthing, has reached saturation point and plans for a Bar Med on the site of a former furniture shop should be rejected.

A report to councillors says incidents in Chapel Road have increased dramatically since 1998 when the first of the large chain pubs started to appear.

Police claim the rise is directly related to the proliferation of licensed premises in the road which currently has five major bars - Cafe Central, Toad At The Press House, The Assembly, Wetherspoon's and Yates's.

Now the SFI Group wants to open a £1 million Bar Med in three-storey premises formerly occupied by Landmark furniture.

It looks likely the application will be granted after planning experts said: "While it is accepted that crime figures might have increased in the Chapel Road area, there may well be certain advantages in concentrating restaurants and pubs in one area.

"Chapel Road, with few residential properties, would appear to be the obvious location.

"The statement from Sussex Police cannot justify a reason for refusal."

Planners will discuss the application tomorrow.