Plans to build a toilet block outside a 900-year-old church have sparked an outcry among villagers.

Church officials want to build the block outside St Mary's Church in Slaugham near Haywards Heath.

The project would cost £50,000 with exterior walls to match the traditional church design.

But some villagers say it would spoil the building's pretty appearance.

At a meeting to discuss the plans, members of the Slaugham Society said they wanted the outside of the church left undisturbed.

They also felt the cash could be better spent.

Daphne Simpson, secretary of the Slaugham Society, said: "We put our view across that it would spoil the architecture and overall appearance of St Mary's, which is an extremely pretty church.

"We have put forward alternatives, which the community feels would be more viable."

Mrs Simpson said the society would prefer a toilet to be placed within the existing church building.

At present, visitors to St Mary's, which has an average congregation of about 50, have to make do with a portable loo in the graveyard.

About 15 villagers attended the meeting at St Mary's on Friday morning.

Church officials included the Reverend Kenneth Habershon who was representing Slaugham parish rector Gary Simmons.

Mr Habershon said plans to apply to the Diocese of Chichester to build the loo, which has already been approved by Mid Sussex District Council, would go ahead.

He said: "The meeting was very useful. But I think everybody accepts the Church of England is experiencing dwindling congregations.

"We are just moving forward with the times. We have to provide a toilet for children and also for the elderly."

The plan is part of a £250,000 scheme to modernise St Mary's, the main church in the parish.

As well as the toilet block at the south side of the church, there are proposals to rip out the pews to replace them with chairs.

The decision rests with church leaders at the diocese.