Graffiti-busters are failing to keep pace with the explosion of wall-scrawling in Worthing, a new report reveals.

Worthing Borough Council spends more than £120,000 a year combating vandalism, with about £32,000 spent on graffiti.

But councillors are being told workmen are struggling to cope due to a major increase in graffiti, with Maybridge, West Durrington and the town centre badly hit.

The council currently employs an outside contractor to inspect areas and remove graffiti from civic buildings in the town.

But the contract expires next month and councillors are being urged to adopt a new strategy in a bid to beat the spraycan vandals.

Cliff Harrison, head of technical services, said: "The existing arrangements for the regular inspection and removal of graffiti are not keeping pace with the problem."

Now there are plans to establish a dedicated graffiti team with transport and equipment to deal with the problem.

The team would concentrate on both public and private property, instead of just council buildings as at present.

The council will advertise for local building and painting contractors to put forward tenders for the contract but this could take five months.

Mr Harrison warned: "This would mean a further extension to the current arrangements which are recognised as not successfully tackling the problem."

West Sussex County Council has already given £20,000 from its Millennium Fund to support an operation called Project Genie, which is focusing on the Goring, Durrington and Maybridge areas.

The scheme includes the rapid removal of offensive graffiti, increased surveillance, and the provision of a youth shelter where young people can meet.