Explicit expressions are derived for the distribution of stationary nucleation rates around a stable cluster of a new phase growing under (i) joint diffusion and charge transfer, (ii) pure diffusion and (iii) joint diffusion and migration limitations. Experimental results are reported for the deposition of mercury droplets on platinum in the presence and the absence of a large excess of supporting electrolyte. The expressions derived for the distribution of the nucleation rates around growing nuclei have been used in computer simulations of progressive nucleation. The simulated and experimental spatial distributions of the nuclei were analysed and compared with the theoretical distribution functions of the distances between the nth neighbours. Deviations of the simulated spatial distributions from the random distributions were found to be in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings. Light scattering results indicated that in the absence of supporting electrolyte the nuclei were distributed on the surface in a structured pattern.