The table, which has been nestling behind bushes for five years, was originally placed there by a Warwick Road resident living near the popular park.

And the council's action has added further fuel to local people's existing anger that the gardens are an optional site for Worthing's Aquarena replacement pool.

Nikki Sheeran, of Warwick Road, said before the table was due to be removed on Tuesday: "After five years, they have demanded it be taken away, yet they can think of putting a great big pool there. It's the contrast from the sublime to the ridiculous. I'm incensed about it.

It's attracting rare birds. It is personal property, but it's nothing offensive.

"We are campaigning against the possible positioning of a replacement pool in Denton Gardens.

"On the scale of things, it seems ridiculous they could, on the one hand, complain about a bird table, which attracts many beautiful and rare birds to the gardens, while on the other hand, contemplate putting a swimming pool here. Why remove it now, after all this time?"

Mrs Sheeran added: "Who are Worthing Council, if not democratically-elected members of the town and public of Worthing? What is municipal land, if not belonging to the town of Worthing?

"Alderman Denton gifted the gardens to the people of Worthing to enjoy for leisure. And to think, if the table had been there 12 years, it would have had squatters' rights."

Another nearby resident, Colin Garrett, said: "It's a lovely birdhouse. Because the council haven't authorised it, they have to take it away.

"It's very sad we have come to this level. It's not harming anybody. It blends in with the park."

Asked why the table was being removed, parks and foreshore manager Chris Bradley said: "Because it is not their land to put a table on. It is about land ownership and to protect the council's assets.

"Someone might say 'it has been there for 10 years' and that it has some kind of right. Unfortunately, the law forces us to do these things."

Have your say

What do you think about the decision to remove the bird table?

Read Tony Mayes views and vote after clicking here.

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