Emergency services could be moved to make way for shops and a new multiplex cinema.

Multi-million pound proposals could see Burgess Hill's police station moved away from the town centre, followed by fire and ambulance services.

An entertainment complex could then be built at the heart of the town, together with a railway station, community square, civic centre, shops and a library.

Families could face having their homes bulldozed to make way for the building plans.

The proposals are part of the Better Mid Sussex scheme, which will see Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath undergo massive redevelopments over the next 20 years.

Draft "masterplans" for the three towns were recently discussed at cabinet level by Mid Sussex District Council.

The Argus understands a major cinema chain is already waiting to move into both Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

John Jory, chief executive of the council, said: "It isn't necessary in the 21st Century to have fire, police and ambulance stations right in the middle of the town centre.

"At night, what does a fire or police station give to the town?

"Naturally there needs to be a police presence but not necessarily a police station."

But anxious residents of Station Road and Queen's Crescent said they were "aghast" at the prospect of seeing their homes demolished.

Bob Draper, of Queens Crescent, said: "The plans discussed by cabinet show our property is to be redeveloped, together with about 20 others.

"People bought properties here to secure their future. This house is my pension but now it feels like it's been frozen. We're aghast. There are single, elderly people in some of these houses who are now confused and scared."

Several historic buildings, including the independent, art deco-style Orion cinema, could also be lost.

The 1906 Salvation Army Hall and Cyprus Hall, a community centre built in 1913, could go with properties backing the Cyprus Road car park bulldozed to make way for five-storey apartment blocks.

Mr Jory said: "In principle in Burgess Hill town centre a lot of the buildings are of a poor quality as are the public spaces. In undertaking a project like this inevitably there will be change. We can't keep every building in the town centre and some buildings need to go. The existing cinema is an interesting building and at this stage we're planning to transform it."

Architects propose a radical new commercial square with a new railway station, office space and apartment blocks up to eight storeys high in Haywards Heath.

The Bluebell Railway could be extended into East Grinstead's town centre and a new town square built.

Council leader Christine Field said: "This isn't about buildings disappearing or even about architectural proposals at this stage, it's about a wonderful opportunity for the renaissance of town centres."