Plans are being prepared to try to improve the rundown look of East Worthing.

The area has been dubbed the town's "forgotten corner" because of problems it has with motorists using roads as a rat run, industrial development attracting more lorries to the area, fly tipping, car dumping and social housing falling into disrepair.

Keen to counter the deterioration in Meadow Road, residents Andrew and Joanne Webb have devised a project to give it a facelift.

Speaking at a public meeting on Saturday, Mr Webb said the project was supported by the Jubilee Community Church.

He said: "It will involve a clean-up exercise along the eastern border of Meadow Road, hedge planting and some tidying up work.

"We want to do things that will last and improve with time.

"It is early days and we are looking for help from businesses in the area and Worthing Borough Council.

"We will be coming round to houses in East Worthing with questionnaires to make sure the ideas we have got are the ideas people are interested in and want to get behind."

In a report about the project, the Webbs wrote: "There are also some key actions which we couldn't undertake but would like to work with the council and businesses to improve.

"These would include structural improvements, repairs and replacement glazing to council properties and significant work to the borders of privately owned commercial and industrial properties.

"While we do not want this project to be only a one-week wonder of tidying gardens, we recognise a concerted effort early on, with a clear visual impact, will serve well to raise the profile of the project and boost morale.

"We plan to address some of the immediate practical requirements of the council housing along Meadow Road during a few sessions as a starting point.

"This will start to build the foundations upon which we will work."

East Worthing MP Tim Loughton, at the meeting at East Worthing Community Centre, Pages Lane, urged people to support the project and commended the Webbs' efforts.

He said: "It takes somebody to work as a catalyst to get groups coming together and get volunteers to come and help clean the place up."

For more details about the project, call the Webbs on 01903 530528.