A 1,000-year-old village church has been shortlisted for a national award for adapting to the 21st century.

St Mary's Church in Slaugham, near Haywards Heath, is one of six buildings in the UK to be nominated for the Country Life magazine Village Church For Village Life award.

St Mary's rector Gary Simmons said: "It's fantastic news. It shows the church is still very much alive in rural villages."

Part of the building dates back to Norman times but that has not prevented essential renovations being carried out.

Parishioners helped raise £600,000 for works that improved facilities by providing disabled access, comfortable seating, a meeting room, kitchen and new flooring.

The church is now used by residents, schools and worshippers and has been restored as the centre of village life, hosting exhibitions, indoor sports and adult education classes.

Mr Simmons said: "People wrote in from the villages on behalf of the church. The competition is for historic churches that have been adapted or transformed in one way or another but are still regularly used for worship and are being used to serve the whole community.

"I'm sure all the churches are very worthy. It is just the act of being recognised to this extent that is great."

St Mary's was selected as a finalist by a steering group that included Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, and Mark Hedges, the editor of Country Life.

Mr Hedges said: "The shortlist of six churches are all inspiring examples of how the future of some churches can be assured. This is in stark contrast to what might be expected, given the dwindling congregations and wider rural decline."

The winner will be announced later in the year and will receive a £10,000 cash prize.