Councillors are kicking up a stink over the sale of cliff-top land needed for the expansion of a sewage treatment works.

Tony Prince, Deputy Mayor of Telscombe Town Council, has angered Lib Dem councillors by urging the council to accept Southern Water's offer of £115,000 for the site in the town.

Furious Lib Dems, who lost control of the council this year, say Coun Prince's actions fly in the face of a £3,000 referendum they organised.

Ninety five per cent of the residents who took part opposed the sale.

Now the issue will be thrashed out at a council meeting on July 18.

There is no indication yet as to whether Southern Water will get the go-ahead to expand its Portobello works on the beach at Telscombe Cliffs.

The result of one of the most bitterly fought public inquiries ever held in Sussex is expected in the autumn following four months of evidence.

Some observers predict planning inspector Simon Gibbs will tell Southern Water to build the works at Newhaven instead.

But Coun Prince, who is opposed to the Portobello expansion, says the council should be ready for all possibilities.

He said it should now start negotiations with Southern Water over the sale of the land in case the firm gets the green light for the expansion.

He said if Southern Water gets planning permission, a compulsory purchase order will automatically go with it and the council could only receive £2,000 for the cliff-top land, which it owns.