IKEA will no longer build a store in Lancing and will instead sell the land, it has been announced.

The furniture giant selected the site at the New Monks Farm just over five years ago in 2016.

However, it will no longer progress with the planned development and instead sell the land.

The Swedish firm cited a change in shopping habits as more customers move online to make purchases.

Richard Rands, market expansion manager at IKEA UK and Ireland, said: “This has not been an easy decision to make.

"Today, we are operating in an incredibly fast-changing retail environment and customer shopping habits aren’t as they once were. Although we know that there is great potential in Sussex, we no longer believe that an IKEA store on the outskirts of Lancing is the optimum way to reach customers in the region.

"We understand this news may disappoint some and we remain committed to serving customers in Lancing in the best possible way, through both our online offer and home delivery service, as well as our remote selling and planning facilities.”

The land in Lancing will be advertised for sale in due course as part of an open bidding process, the company said.