A homeless charity has been forced to lay off staff after its Government funding was slashed by almost half.

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects has had its funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government's Supporting People programme cut from £363,253 to just £197,788.

The 46% cut has affected two projects aimed at helping homeless people - its Direct Access Hostel and Stepping Stones Project.

In total four staff have been made redundant from the charity - a senior management post and three project workers.

Carol Lucey, the chief executive of Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, said: “We are very sad to have had to make these redundancies, fortunately we were able to absorb two redundancies through natural wastage. It has been very hard for everyone involved.

“As a charity we rely heavily on funding from the general public, trusts and the amount we receive from Supporting People.