River walls and embankments from the harbour mouth to the A259 road bridge should be raised to give greater protection to hundreds of homes in the town, says the Environment Agency.

"The defences currently afford a low standard of protection to the town. As sea level rises they can expect to be overtopped with increasing frequency, which may eventually lead to failure and flooding," the agency warns in its draft flood and erosion management strategy for the coastline between the rivers Arun and Adur.

It makes strengthening the East Bank defences at Littlehampton the second highest priority out of 11 sections of seafront between here and Shoreham, and says it is "confident that central government funding will be available for undertaking these works".

At present, the agency says 1,120 properties are at risk from flooding in Littlehampton and along the coast towards Rustington if defences are not maintained, but that number will rise to 2,150 in 100 years' time if nothing is done.

Anne Carnegie, Littlehampton harbour project co-ordinator, welcomed the proposals to strengthen the town's flood defences, and said they could be an opportunity to include further improvements, such as a boardwalk in Pier Road.

"Hopefully this will happen sooner, rather than later, but it is very good news."

The draft strategy has been drawn up with Arun, Adur and Worthing councils and will go on view at public exhibitions next week, including one at Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton, on Tuesday, from 2-7pm.

The exhibition is part of a public consultation, ending in September, and after which more detailed plans will be drawn up.

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