A battle has been launched to save All Saints Church in Hove, one of 13 churches earmarked for the chop in a sweeping Church of England review.

More than 250 people met in its spectacular surroundings last night to plan a rescue package.

The meeting was dignified, as parishioners kept calm while expressing impassioned views on how to save the beloved church, built in the 1890s.

It is already planning to lose its curate, the Reverend John Phillips, leaving Father David Wostenholm at the helm.

Jennifer Gilbert, whose daughter attends the Little Fishes parent and toddler group said: "My family has been associated with this church for 50 years. It would be very sad if this church were to close."

The church, a Grade I listed building, was built at a cost of £42,000 by JL Pearson, who also built Truro Cathedral.

The Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, attended a service at the church in 1896 and again as King in 1910.

The church has now had to cut some of its less popular services. It has a deficit of £32,740 for 2003, compared to a surplus of £3,332 in 2000. It hopes to reduce the deficit to £2,250 in 2004.

Father David already has another role as a Rural Dean of Hove, which takes up a quarter of his job. Working on his own would mean extra visits and no help looking after members of his congregation Michael Maine, organist and choirmaster of All Saints and a former Brighton councillor said: "We would be devastated. Father John is a very much loved member of the church family."

Archdeacon Douglas McKittrick and Pat Jones and Martin Cruttenden, who are sitting on the strategy review group which is drawing up the report called Strengthening The Church For God's Mission, joined the meeting.

The church in its response to the closure proposals said it believes the only option was to leave the church as it was but make better use of its resources.

It wants to put the church to more use within the community to draw people in and develop its work, such as healing and pastoral work.

Father David said: "We recognise it is essential to make as full use as possible of our resources."

Heather Beeby, headteacher of St Christopher's School, Hove, suggested the church could produce a dance and music festival.