Campaigners battling to improve Worthing town centre were delighted today after plans to revamp a rundown public garden were revived.

Worthing Borough Council may now use a £100,000 bequest to transform Liverpool Gardens, overlooked by the Montague Centre shopping precinct.

In recent years they have become the haunt of street drunks, while litter is also a major problem.

Worthing Town Centre Initiative has been trying to tidy the site, install new flower beds and possibly ornate railings and a fountain.

It was disappointed when the proposed revamp was shelved after executors of the will of spinster Mary Shaw voiced concern about the amount of rubbish blowing around the public open space.

Instead, the borough council considered using the money to fund a junior soccer centre in Victoria Park.

That idea has fallen through and the Liverpool Gardens scheme is back on the agenda.

Miss Shaw bequeathed the cash in memory of her late brother John, who was employed by the council's rates department all his working life.

John Thorpe, the council's assistant director of leisure services, said: "The executor was of the opinion the Liverpool Gardens scheme would be the best option as it would benefit the community as a whole and enhance the town centre."

The council may also allocate £53,000 in the Greening the Borough budget towards the scheme as £100,000 would be unlikely to cover the revamp costs.

Mr Thorpe said: "Although consultation with the executor has caused considerable delay and abortive work, it has been worthwhile in that all avenues for funding the junior soccer centre have been explored.

"Officers sought the views of the Football Foundation, the major funding body, and the response was positive.

"But even with the bequest and 50 per cent funding from the foundation there was likely to be a funding deficit, which would have to be met by the council."

Chris Spratt, chairman of the Town Centre Initiative, said: "We are delighted the council is now positively looking at utilising the legacy to improve Liverpool Gardens. We were making noises about it long before the legacy came to light."

Councillors will consider the options at a meeting of the executive on Monday.