A tourism campaigner has attacked Worthing Borough Council's decision to pay off three senior officers at a cost of almost £360,000 to the taxpayer.

Sue Murray, outgoing chairman of Worthing Hospitality Association, was angry that the sum had been set aside while nothing was being spent on seafront improvements.

She also questioned how the council can justify the expenditure at a time when it had such a large budget shortfall, which resulted in council tax rises.

She said: "It seems such a lot of money when we almost lost the seafront tourist information centre to save £8,000 and yet there can be money like this to spend in the town hall."

The council has frozen spending on seafront improvements in 2003/04 but allocated £50,000 for new personal computers.

Details of the pay-out were revealed by The Argus last October after secret papers were leaked.

They said the trio - planning director Tony Clarke, director of community services Hywel Griffiths and borough treasurer Colin Smith - were retiring and had more than 70 years' experience between them.

Councillor Sheila Player, Liberal Democrat leader of the council, had previously described their departure as a "quantum leap" for the local authority.

She said: "It's sad to see three chief officers leaving the council after so many years of excellent, loyal service."

Despite this, she said the officers fully appreciated and supported the changes.

The trio will be replaced by two strategic directors, who should be in place by June/July. The move has been taken in line with the Government's modernisation programme.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Worthing Hospitality Association at the Berkeley Hotel, Coun Player said: "The officers have had no more than they are legally entitled to.

"After five years there is a budget saving. We then begin to reap the benefits because you are only paying for two chief officers rather than three."

Mrs Murray urged the council to employ a dedicated fund-raising officer who could tap into external funding, such as European Community and National Lottery cash.