THE £2 million sale of a historic downland golf course to a private operator has been completed.

Worthing Borough Council and Chichester Golf Club exchanged contracts on Hill Barn golf course to end months of detailed negotiations.

The council plans to ring-fence the cash raised by the sale to help fund leisure facilities in the town.

Richard Haygarth, new proprietor of Hill Barn, said the purchase was great news for the course's 500 season ticket holders and for Chichester Golf Club members.

He said: "Hill Barn is a beautiful golf course with a great deal of heritage. It is clear that, in recent years, the course has suffered from a lack of investment and we will be addressing that with a financial commitment of almost £400,000 in the first year and significant further investments.

"This will enable us to re-establish the course as one of the most beautiful and enjoyable to play in the region.

"At the same time we are committed to maintaining the course's accessibility and have no plans to change its status as a public access pay-and-play facility."

Mr Haygarth said the investment will lead to the creation of new jobs and that there will be a reciprocal playing arrangement with Chichester Golf Club.

He said: "I am delighted we have finally concluded the sale."

Councillor Sheila Player, leader of the council, said: "We congratulate Richard on his acquisition and look forward to the improvements that will follow."

Eight bids were received for Hill Barn, which was designed in the early Thirties by the highly-regarded Fred Hawtree Senior.

The course was built between1932 and 1934, on the site of an old farm, and fully opened as a 15-hole course in 1937.

During the war the course was turned over to wheat production.

Immediately after the war, three extra holes were built to bring the course up to a full 18 holes.

During the Seventies the course featured on the PGA and LPGA tour lists and played host to such names as Tony Jacklin, Bernard Gallagher and Brian Barnes.

Today, the course is a 6,224-yard par 70.