Worthing's Golden Jubilee celebrations fund has been boosted to £30,000.

The borough council originally set aside £10,000 and a further £10,000 has come in private sponsorship, including £500 from The Argus.

Last night, councillors gave the go-ahead to spend an additional £10,000.

Now the town is looking forward to a series of glittering events to mark the royal milestone.

There was one objection to the extra cash from Councillor John Lovell.

He demanded: "Why do we have to spend so much money on the Jubilee when most people are indifferent to it?"

But other councillors leapt to the celebration's defence.

Council leader Brian Lynn said: "It is for the townspeople to enjoy and to give them an opportunity to celebrate."

Councillor Andrew Garrett said: "We have a large elderly population who come from an era when the monarchy was special.

"They may be a silent voice but they matter. Even if they don't attend all the celebrations they will appreciate our efforts."

On June 1 there will be a children's parade along the seafront from 10am to noon and an ice cream party. Youngsters taking part will receive a certificate signed by the mayor.

From 2.30pm to 4pm the mayor will stage a Golden Jubilee tea party for pensioners, followed by a function from 7pm to 1am at Steyne Gardens.

At 10.30pm, thousands of spectators are expected to assemble on the seafront for a fireworks display.

On Sunday, June 2, there will be an open-air Jubilee service involving Worthing Churches Together from 10.30am to noon, and from May 31 to June 5 a Fifties-theme seafront fayre will take place.

A marquee will be put up in Steyne Gardens and flower beds will be planted in red, white and blue.