The average householder in Worthing could soon be paying more than £1,000 a year in council tax for the first time.

The council is expected to increase its demand by 8.5 per cent from April but when added to the West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police Authority precepts, the rise will be between 15 and 20 per cent.

That means an average Band D taxpayer will see a rise from £937 a year to about £1,120.

Borough treasurer Colin Smith said: "We have heard the police demand is going to be something in the region of 30 to 40 per cent.

"The county council's could be 18.5 per cent."

The borough's budget for 2003/04 is expected to be set at £13.34 million.