Hindus who won their fight to build a temple in Crawley have hit another stumbling block.

Since they began negotiations to build a £2 million temple at Apple Tree Farm, Ifield Avenue, Crawley, land prices have shot up by 80 per cent.

The land, owned by Crawley Borough Council, was originally valued at £2.1 million but was to be sold with a 75 per cent discount to the Hindus for £500,000 two years ago.

It is now worth £3.75 million, which with discount brings the price to £906,000.

Spokesman Ramesh Shingadia said they were having talks with the council and hoping to pay for the land in instalments.

He said: "This will not stop the project. It will not come to a standstill. We are negotiating for more time to pay.

"We are disappointed the price has risen but we appreciate all land prices in the South-East have gone up."

He said they were still raising money and expected to start building in three years.