A former Worthing furniture store at the centre of a superpub row could also house a 24-hour pool and snooker hall.

Leisure developers want to turn the ground floor of the empty Landmark store in the town centre into a Bar Med superpub.

But police, the borough council and residents have opposed the bid, fearing there are already too many large pubs in the Chapel Road area.

A hearing is scheduled to take place at Worthing Magistrates Court on January 21 to decide whether to give the building a drinks licence.

Police are concerned about the number of revellers spilling out on to the streets at closing time, fuelling an upsurge in alcohol-related violence.

But officers have no objection to turning the first and second floors of the building into an American pool and snooker hall open round the clock.

Councillors will discuss whether to allow the private members' club a 24-hour licence on Tuesday.

Conservationists have called for a central staircase inside the premises to be preserved but planners said they could not intervene because the store was not listed.