Conservation watchdogs have called on people to join them in a bid to preserve what is left of Worthing's architectural heritage.

A striking Worthing Society exhibition at Worthing Library in Richmond Road highlights the planning catastrophies that have blighted the town during the past three decades.

A spokesman said: "There is nothing wrong with good modern architecture but let us not needlessly sacrifice good old architecture along the way.

"We should be aiming for a reasonable balance."

He said this was important for generations to come, who deserved a home town with character and a visible and vibrant heritage.

The exhibition highlights buildings under threat, including Grade I listed Castle Goring, the condition of which caused the borough council to issue an ultimatum to the structure's owner, Clem Somerset.

The council has warned it may carry out an inspection of the folly without the owner's approval and may even bring compulsory purchasing powers to bear.

The society recently condemned the council's decision to demolish the John Horniman School, at the junction of Park Road and Brighton Road, to make way for flats.

It also criticised the conversion of St Paul's Church in Chapel Road into a community facility and voiced concern over the possible removal of an organ and its casing to make more room inside.

There were also fears that plans for a cycle route along Goring seafront could ruin "a tranquil semi-rural shingle footpath which has been a firm favourite with visitors and local families alike for many years."

Buildings already consigned to the history books included the Theatre Royal in Ann Street, demolished to make way for the Guildbourne Centre; The Esplanade, Brighton Road, where Oscar Wilde wrote The Importance Of Being Earnest; the old town hall in South Street; the Marine Hotel; Offington Hall and John Selden's Cottage.

Examples of poor Seventies planning included the Guildbourne Centre and Teville Gate, "Worthing's biggest eyesore".

But the most damning verdict was reserved for High Street, "once rich in historic buildings, it is now a desolate area overshadowed by the featureless multi-storey car park."

On a positive note, there was praise for the conversion of Beach House, Brighton Road, into flats; the restoration of Courtlands, off Parklands Avenue, Goring; the Burlington Hotel, Marine Parade; and Field Place, Durrington.

There were also plans to restore the Dome cinema, an Edwardian picturehouse once threatened with the bulldozer but now supported by Lottery funding.