East bank walk a gem - official

And now the broad path has been officially recognised, too, with the presentation of two plaques by an Arun-wide conservation body.

One was unveiled at a ceremony on Monday by the Duchess of Norfolk, at the southern end of the walkway, near the harbour office in Pier Road. The second will be fixed to the river wall near Surrey Street.

Describing the path as "brilliant", the Duchess congratulated Littlehampton and the developers who made it possible.

The plaques have been provided by the Arun District Conservation Area Advisory Committee, which gave the walkway its design award in October for its contribution to "the quality of public open space in Littlehampton".

Committee chairman Noel Dixon told guests at the ceremony: "The riverside walk is undoubtedly the most important construction from which all the people can freely benefit, that has been created for many years."

The Duchess untied a Union flag to reveal the plaque, fixed to a brick pillar.

Arun chairman Tony Squires, Littlehampton mayor David Dyball and members of the committee also attended the ceremony.