Littlehampton is enjoying a renaissance as it approaches a landmark 150 years of being a town next year.

The multi-million pound regeneration of the East Bank is almost finished, a development brief for the West Bank is in its early stages and 2003 marks 150 years since the town began running its own affairs.

But, despite the progress of today, it has not all been plain sailing to this point.

Critics of the East Bank development said part of the town's heritage would be lost forever as derelict wharves were turned into housing.

The project stalled for almost a year and a half as fisherman Clive Mills launched a legal bid to block it. He took Arun District Council to the High Court, claiming he had a long-established right to stay at one of the wharves but the action failed and Mr Mills and his colleagues have since made peace with the council.

Finishing touches are being put to new luxury riverside homes and the town's new visitor and field study centre, which are both close to the disputed land.

The multi-million pound regeneration of the East Bank is providing Littlehampton with a youth hostel, coffee shop, tourist information centre, homes, better mooring facilities and a scenic riverside walkway joining the town centre to the seafront.

The land itself was instrumental in Littlehampton becoming a town in the first place.

In the 1850s it was Littlehampton's location that made it such an important port - more so than Arundel.

By the time the town got its first railway station in 1863, to bring in hundreds of day-trippers, it already had its own health board, which added to its importance.

Local councillor Mike Northeast, who was on the East Bank working party, said over the years Littlehampton has learnt how to embrace change.

He said: "If you look at the town's history, it has changed every time it has needed to change and it has changed in a realistic way.

"Recently, Littlehampton has realised it is no longer a commercial port.

"Things are not moved around by sea any more so we have looked at how the river can bring in revenue for us.

"There are still concerns about the East Bank development - that the plans have ignored the small commercial businesses - but people have accepted it is time to move on.

"The visitor attraction will be a main focal point for day trippers to bring them up from the beach and into town to use the shops.

"We have also been giving out leaflets to sailors about what Littlehampton has to offer.

"We want them to realise there is somewhere to stop instead of just sailing between Brighton and Portsmouth."

Town mayor Wendy Squires said she was disappointed Littlehampton seemed to get such a bad Press when there were so many positive things happening in the town.

She said: "I don't see why people run it down. We have got the river and we are sandwiched between the sea and the South Downs.

"The East Bank had all sorts of planning problems but I think everyone agrees what is being built is far superior than what was there before.

"I think it will be great when the town square and the walkway are finished."

She said she was proud to be mayor during a new chapter in the town's history.

"It is a great privilege to be mayor at any time but this year is special, with the Queen's Golden Jubilee at the beginning of the year, the East Bank going up and the town's 150th anniversary."

The town is setting aside more than £10,000 to celebrate its landmark.

Annual events such as the bonfire celebrations, regatta and carnival will all link to the anniversary theme.

The centrepiece of the celebrations will be an enlarged Littlehampton Town Show, incorporating a Fun Day in September and a Victorian Evening next December.

The town's museum will be running a major exhibition in April to celebrate the milestone and also holding smaller exhibitions throughout the year.

Mrs Squires said: "In essence the town is the same despite all the changes.

"It is a town that has definitely got its own character."