Councillors are drawing up a development brief for a prime town centre site.

Worthing police station in Union Place, and the adjoining NCP car park, have been earmarked for shops and homes once the station is shut and all officers moved to Centenary House in Durrington or a new station in Chatsworth Road.

Now guidelines for developers on what the council wants to see constructed are being worked out.

A report to councillors states: "If Worthing is to maintain its importance as a shopping centre then some further retail development will be needed.

"This policy specifically identifies this site for non-food retail development and it is considered it may be appropriate to include an element of residential development."

Bearing in mind the area is close proximity to the Connaught Theatre, a leisure use for part of the site is also envisaged.