A new report warned it was unable to cope with the growing pressure with a restricted budget.

Now options for generating income are under consideration, including new and revised charges for events, educational visits and sale of produce.

"All of this already happens, but there is scope to increase the income from these sources," it added.

"There is currently an inconsistency across the service, with charging for all education events but only for some public events."

More resources were needed to meet current demand and expand events, education and outreach work.

"Realistically, this can only happen if extra income can be generated, and time freed up," said the report, whose conclusions were supported by the strategic environmental services select committee.

The service's budget includes management of the Buchan country park, between Crawley and Horsham, the old station at West Grinstead, and the Pagham Harbour nature reserve, near Chichester.

It also covers work on promoting local produce, promoting walking and activities in the countryside, a food and drink festival, a walks festival, and contributions to partnerships including the High Weald AONB and Action in Rural Sussex.

The report said options for the future included an extension to the Buchan country park visitor facilities, a new coastal centre at Pagham Harbour and the potential to develop a new centre at West Grinstead.

A series of proposals were put forward, and all endorsed by the select committee.

These included:

Developing formal and informal environmental education at Pagham Harbour, Buchan country park and the old station, to widen the audience and raise further income.

Charging for a wider range of public events, while reviewing the effect on particular sectors of the community to ensure people who could not afford to pay are not excluded.

Using all the income raised to expand the service where resources allowed.