Worthing funds for Bognor Birdman

West Sussex County Council's local committee for Worthing is putting 15,000 towards staging the cost of this year's contest.

Businesses in the town have raised some 10,000 towards the 25,000-30,000 estimated total expense.

Committee's chairman, Cllr John Livermore, said: "We see this as a major investment. This is a headline-hitting event '“ one that always creates extensive national interest in the media."

A meeting to finalise health and safety checks for the event is planned for tomorrow (Friday, May 9).