A leading businessman has paid tribute to Worthing's town centre manager, who is stepping down after two years.

Anne Angel handed in her resignation for "personal and health reasons" and is expected to leave before Christmas.

Chris Spratt, chairman of the Town Centre Initiative, which employs the £25,000-a-year manager, praised her contribution to Worthing.

He said: "We are very sorry to lose her. She has done an extremely good job and leaves the initiative in a much stronger position than when she came. We are parting on very good terms."

Anne's successes included setting up an outdoor market in Montague Street, unveiling maritime information boards on the seafront and raising funding for Christmas lights.

She was also heavily involved in talks to set up a gateway to the West End of the town centre, where Montague Street and Crescent Road merge.

The initiative has already advertised the post and received about a dozen replies.