Home Secretary Charles Clarke has been urged to stop children's homes "importing anti-social behaviour on a grand scale" to Worthing.

Critics claim the homes are taking in unruly teenagers from as far afield as Edinburgh and Newcastle who are bringing their anti-social behaviour with them to the town.

As proposals to open a ninth home in the seaside town emerged last night, councillors, police and an MP joined forces to say "enough is enough".

Home owners are said to be exploiting the fact that they don't need to apply for planning permission unless they intend to accommodate six or more children.

This means residents are finding children's homes opening in their roads without any prior notice.

S and P Childcare, based in Mersham Gardens, Worthing, wants to open a new home in Hythe Road.

The firm applied for "change of use" from residential/counselling and therapy practice to dwelling house but did not have to mention it was to be a children's home.

However, further investigations by a neighbour revealed the proposed future use of the property, sparking uproar.

Coun Tom Wye, the borough council's adviser for anti-social behaviour, said: "Worthing is importing anti-social behaviour on a grand scale.

"I honestly believe we have reached saturation point in Worthing. We have beds now for 40 of these children."

He said not all were badly behaved but some, including a group from south London, had caused the police considerable problems.

Several years ago, a home in Rowlands Road was singled out for criticism by councillors after residents complained about anti-social behaviour.

On several occasions, the fire brigade was called to bring down youngsters from the roof.

Councillors said this particular home was no longer a problem but others were.

Chief Insp Jason Taylor, Worthing's police commander, said: "It is fair to say we are very concerned about the possibility of another children's home in Worthing.

"We feel the town already has a disproportionate number.

"We are constantly working to ensure children are well looked-after and the community is protected."

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley has written to Mr Clarke and children's minister Beverley Hughes to voice his concern.

He said: "In my constituency, there are a number of children in small care homes who have not been well supervised and who have not behaved well.

"The police have told me they often have difficulty in coping with the results of these homes.

"I would like to know how the police and local councillors can make official representations that the local authority can take into account and can, if appropriate, be reason for declining the application."

A director of S and P Childcare, who declined to be named, said: "The situation is going through planning at the moment.

"Until we have some clarity on the planning situation, we don't know whether we shall be proceeding so, at the moment, I cannot comment further."