Inedpendent assessors have been appointed to investigate the future of two historic churches.

Church elders have been holding talks on the future of Shelley Road United Reformed Church (URC) in Worthing, with a report expected in the spring.

It is possible the church will close just short of its 100th anniversary while its sister church, St Columba's, will be revamped.

Shelley Road is due to celebrate its centenary next year but it could be demolished and the site sold for housing.

The church has a congregation of just under 100 while St Columba's, in St Michael's Road, Heene, has about 130, many of them elderly.

Writing in the St Columba's Church magazine, Ian Chalmers stated: "At the beginning of the year (2002), the Worthing area team commissioned a focus group to look at the future of the United Reformed Church in our area, and particularly in Worthing itself.

"At the beginning of September our congregation, and our friends at Shelley Road, entered into separate commitments to form the Worthing United Reformed Church.

"This has raised many questions of detail and the moderator of synod has agreed to appoint the Reverend Philip James and Clive England to look at these issues as independent assessors.

"We are conscious, as they are, of our heritage and the sensitivities of many of our members as we look to the future together."

Neil MacMahon, spokesman for the URC, told The Argus last year: "People don't like to think of their church being closed or altered.

"My understanding is that Shelley Road has accepted the position with regret."

Mr MacMahon said a report would be available in the spring that could recommend the demolition of Shelley Road church, a prime town-centre site commanding a high price if planning permission for housing was obtained.

Major changes, possibly financed by the sale of Shelley Road, could follow at St Columba's, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2002.

Mr MacMahon said: "If Shelley Road is not going to be used as a church, it could be argued it is no use as a building and could be redeveloped. That is one of the options being looked at."

He said there were also financial considerations relating to the day-to-day running of two buildings with falling congregations.

There were just two full-time ministers and one part-time minister to cover five churches in the local URC circuit:

Shelley Road, St Columba's, Goring, Sompting and St Andrew's, Rustington.

James Appleton, development control manager on Worthing Borough Council, said neither church was listed but St Columba's was in the Heene conservation area, which placed restrictions on development.