A row has broken out over calls to sell off the historic Worthing Pier to a private bidder.

The move was suggested as a way of saving taxpayers' money as estimated costs of maintaining the pier run into millions.

Councillor Bob Smytherman, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Worthing Borough Council, said money from its sale could be used to fund modernisation of the town's Connaught Theatre and Assembly Hall.

He believed the pier, owned and maintained by the council, should be run by a private operator, similar to the Palace Pier in Brighton.

But Tory councillor Paul High, executive member for leisure and cultural services, said: "To make such comments at this stage is a bit outrageous, really."

He said people should wait for a masterplan on the future development of the town to be published in the spring.

The pier is occupied by the Pavilion Theatre, Streets amusement arcade and Lush nightclub.

The Pavilion, which comic Ken Dodd said was his favourite theatre, was constructed in 1926 and hosts scores of top shows every year.

Councillors have been told the cost to taxpayers of keeping the Pavilion, Connaught and Assembly Hall open this year would total £1.5 million.

In addition, a further £2.35 million might have to be spent on renovating and repairing the three venues over the next five years.

Coun Smytherman said: "We would sell the pier off. I think it should be run as a private enterprise. We do not believe a town like Worthing can sustain financially three theatres, none of which run at capacity.

"I would much rather see Worthing have two good theatres running at full capacity than three theatres running at half capacity."

He believed the pier could house a 24-hour casino and other leisure facilities the town could be proud of.

But Coun High said: "Until the masterplan is drawn up and I look at what they say, I am not going to prejudice any decisions that might have to be taken.

"In my opinion, Coun Smytherman is jumping the gun. It is wrong to start saying things like that. And even if the masterplan says we have to get rid of a theatre, it doesn't mean we shall. It is only a guideline.

"I certainly don't want to lose a theatre and I will do all I can to keep all three open."

In 2004, Ken Dodd said: "The Worthing Pavilion is a unique building.

"Of all the places I have played in Great Britain, of all the resorts, it is the most lovely little theatre of them all.

"It is in very good order and says to holidaymakers that Worthing is a premier resort. If you do away with places like the Pavilion, you are just destroying the town."

The council has commissioned consultants to draw up the masterplan which will examine the future of 17 sites around the town centre and seafront, including the former police station site in Union Place and the Grafton multi-storey on the seafront.