Councillors will agree to Sussex's first blanket speed reduction on residential roads as long as there is “broad” public support for it.

Campaigners say they are now one step closer to introducing a 20mph default speed limit in Worthing.

However West Sussex County Council said money for the scheme will not be found from its multimillion pound highways and transport budget.

Instead they say the estimated £245,000 cost must come out of Section 106 money that is given by developers to pay for local infrastructure.

If the scheme is introduced Worthing will become the first town in the county to have a default speed limit of 20mph on residential roads.

It could also have implications on cities such as Brighton and Hove and Chichester where there is growing support for a speed reduction on residential roads.

This month The Argus reported that speed limit reduction was a “high priority” for Brighton and Hove City Council.

Next week the county council's Worthing county local committee will decide whether to give 20s Plenty for Worthing organisers a £1,000 grant to fund publicity for their campaign.

The money would be used to set up stalls and campaign material such as stickers and leaflets.

Duncan Kay, the campaign organiser, said he wants people to go to the meeting to demonstrate support for the campaign.

He said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to attend.

“If lots of people turn up and say we really want it then I think they will be more willing to give it to us.

“Personally I think West Sussex County Council should at least be willing to pay some of the money they have to spend on transport.”

Lionel Barnard, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said he would consider supporting the scheme as long as supporters were able to “demonstrate broad public support”.

The committee meeting will be held at Thomas A Becket First School in Pelham Road, Worthing, at 7pm on July 6.