One of Worthing's best-known churches may become a community centre because crucial roof repairs will be too expensive.

If the borough council agrees, St Paul's Church in Chapel Road will be transformed into a Christian community centre.

The adjoining hall will be demolished to make way for a block of flats for disadvantaged young people.

The church has been closed for worship for five years because the roof is structurally unsafe.

An initial estimate for the repair of the roof, which is being held up by scaffolding, was £800,000. The parish says it can't afford it.

The proposal is seen as the only option to ensure the Grade II* listed building is still used by the community.

Chairman of the project team Peter Rhodes said: "It can no longer be used as a place of worship because the roof is unsafe. There is also a lot of dry rot in the building.

"But the church has been the focus of Christian worship for decades and should be preserved. We think it should be available for the wider community while retaining a Christian ethos."

The church would maintain a small chapel but the rest would be used for community events including concerts and meetings of local organisations.

However, there have been mixed reactions to the plan.

Many worshippers and residents mourn the deterioration of the church and want to see it put to good use.

Others fear late night revellers and "crude and unnecessary" design features.

In letters of objection submitted to the council, it has been suggested that "the site is totally inappropriate for healthy or disabled people to be housed, being next to one of the most polluted and busy road junctions in the town centre."

James Appleton, borough development control manager, said: "It is a listed building which has been closed for some time. It should not be left to deteriorate for any longer."

Councillors will discuss the application on Monday.