An evangelical church has made a bid to buy a crisis-hit arts venue.

Brighton Vineyard has made an offer for the Grade II listed Old Market in Upper Market Street, Hove.

The venue was put on the market for £1 million a fortnight ago after its previous owners, the Old Market Trust, went into liquidation when they were overwhelmed by long-term debts.

Pastor Chris Simmons, from Brighton Vineyard, yesterday confirmed rumours it had made a bid.

He said the group wanted the Old Market to continue as an arts and community centre which would be used as a church on Sundays.

Mr Simmons said: "We have been looking for a base of our own for 18 months and this fits the bill perfectly."

Brighton Vineyard currently operates from offices in North Road, Brighton, and stages sessions weekly at BHASVIC college, in Dyke Road, Hove, and Latest Music Bar, in Manchester Street, Brighton.

If their bid is successful the Old Market would become the second city landmark taken over by an evangelical church group in the past year, following Holy Trinity Brompton's move into St Peter's Church in York Place, Brighton.