Len Warner, district councillor for Steyning, told the town's parish councillors a decision on the future of the service was imminent and that losing it altogether was a possibility.
The news was met with anger by many members of the council, who claimed they had not been consulted over the move.

Speaking at Monday's meeting, chairman Jackie Campbell said: "We are very cross that we have not been consulted on this. It has been thrust upon us."

The under-threat service, which takes household waste, garden refuse and other items, is run by Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council.

Mr Warner said: "We feel we are going to lose the battle, but we are putting up a fight."

If the service is cut, people face a trip to the Hop Oast or Billingshurst household waste recycling sites, or out of the Horsham district to Shoreham's tip, in Brighton Road.

Mrs Campbell said: "If you have got a car, you can go to Shoreham. If you haven't got a car, you can get your little wheelbarrow and wheel it down."

She also warned removing the service could lead to an increase in people fly-tipping rubbish in or near the town.

"People who won't take it all the way to the tip are going to take it up onto the Downs," said Mrs Campbell.

Ian Ivatt, Steyning Chamber of Trade vice-chairman, attended the meeting as a member of the public.

He said: "To me, all the evidence is overwhelming. This is a very valued service in this community.

"I have seen very elderly people using this service. They do bring stuff in hand carts and wheelbarrows.

"The question I really want to ask is what sort of consultation was in front of this decision. I am just a member of the public and I use it."

Speaking to the Herald on Tuesday, Mrs Campbell urged people to write to the county and district councils, and to Mr Warner and fellow district councillor George Cockman, expressing their concern.

She said: "People need to write. The service is used excessively. Every week, there are a lot of people there, especially in the autumn when people are clearing up leaves in their gardens.

"To lose it would be very, very bad. It is a service that is so well used."

A county council spokesman told the Herald: "Waste experts from West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council are seeking views on alternatives following a decision to withdraw the Horsham mobile household waste recycling service, following the outcome of a joint technical review of this service."