Staff at Worthing Museum watched with interest as a local landmark disappeared.

Acting curator Ann Wise said: "For more than ten years the view from my office hasn't changed.

"Every working day I have looked out and seen St Paul's Church hall and the church roof.

"In the blink of an eye the view has changed dramatically and the hall has rapidly disappeared, torn down by a JCB, revealing the church facade in its original state.

"I've been delighted to see the church's bricked up windows on the ground floor, which were hidden by the hall.

"We have all been taking plenty of photographs of the building amid all the rubble before the north side disappears again when the new building work begins.

"At least for a while we can see how Worthing's first church really looked.

"I think it is a very pleasing example of early 19th Century ecclesiastical architecture considering that, at the time, Worthing was little more than a hamlet.

"It was part of the parish of Broadwater, which boasted a fine church.

As Worthing was beginning to grow and develop as an attractive place to visit, the church authorities and parishioners decided that Worthing needed its own church and minister.

"Worthing's first church was consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester on September 18, 1812.

Designed by J B Rebecca and built by Ambrose Cartwright for under £15,000, it was originally known as The Chapel of Ease.

"Intriguingly, one way that funds were raised for its upkeep was for worshippers to 'buy' their seats each week.

"Not only that, but the seats were frequently auctioned at the town hall so holidaymakers had a chance of getting a seat."

Historians are now waiting to find out whether there are any Roman remains under the hall's foundations.

Before the First World War, artefacts were discovered under what is now the museum.