A Sussex hypnotist is founding an internet church offering members the chance to be ordained for £100.

The Church of Tranquility, headed by 51-year-old Eric Goldsworthy, has been condemned by mainstream religious leaders, who have accused him of offering "a quick fix" and preying on people's low self-esteem.

But Mr Goldsworthy, who runs sessions in past life regression at the Tranquility Centre, in High Street, Worthing, said: "There is a tremendous demand from the public for something else in their lives.

"Traditional churches are not the attractive proposition they used to be."

The church will have no building but aims to attract donations to start a residential centre within a year where members can "visit, stay, learn and share".

Members will not worship a particular god or study scripture but will preach a "oneness with the Universe" and teach the maxim "always do the right thing".

When they join, members will pay "donations" of £100 and more to be ordained as ministers and have the right to call themselves Reverend.

They can then apply for canonisation.

But the Reverend Simon Coupland, a vicar at the Broadwater Parish, Worthing, and author of Success: A Biblical Exploration, said: "It sounds like Eric Goldsworthy is using the name church but he's not using it in any recognised sense of any other church.

"The question is: What are people getting for their £100?

"There are loads of web sites in the States where you can sign up, get ordained and are able to call yourself Reverend.

"It's preying on people's low self-esteem and hoping that by being able to call themselves something they will become something else.

"Being someone who can call themself Reverend but decides not to, that doesn't seem to me to be the answer."

But Mr Goldsworthy, who says he was ordained in America, is confident his computerised church will be a success.

He said: "Our members will network through the web site and the printed newsletter.

"The church is just starting and I envisage an enormous response from around the country as it becomes known - and even overseas. We provide a new meaning for people from every walk of life. Because it is so simple, yet so effective, everyone will benefit."

The Reverend Jane Barton, of the Worthing Unitarian Fellowship, also voiced fears, saying: "We have a strong inter-faith group here that would be very concerned about this because it doesn't take into account any level of commitment.

"I feel a sense of sorrow that it might make people think that everything can be bought."