A community church is facing closure following a dramatic decline in its congregation.

The number of people regularly attending Sunday services at St Augustine and St Saviour in Brighton has fallen to just 58 from 150 two decades ago.

As a result, the church commissioners are proposing to shut the 100-year-old church in Stanford Road and are inviting people to voice any final opinions on the plans.

The Reverend David Guest, communications officer for Chichester Diocese, which is responsible for the Church of England across Sussex, spoke on behalf of the Reverend Canon Trevor Buxton.

He said: "This decision has not being imposed on anyone. There has been a discussion process with members of the congregation included.

"The proposal came from the parish itself, which asked for redundancy to start because the numbers had fallen so significantly.

"They cannot afford to heat and upkeep the building. It is an Edwardian church with increasing maintenance costs.

"If it closes, it does not mean the congregation would be left out on a limb.

"Historically, the church used to belong to the parish of St John's in Preston Park. The congregation would be looked after by St John's, where they originally came from.

"This is something that is happening a lot around the country in areas which have a high ratio of churches. In Brighton and Hove there is a pastoral review taking place looking at all the churches and seeing how the people of the city can best be served.

"I am not saying this is the reason for St Augustine's problems but you often find congregations that have been going to a church for a long time are dying or moving away.

"New churchgoers may decide to go to another church. People travel further now to go to church rather than go to the one nearest their homes.

"The final decision will not be made for some time. It is still open for further discussion."

Any representations for or against the proposals should be sent, no later than September 3, to the Pastoral Division Church Commissioners, 1 Millbank, London SW1P 3JZ.

A decision on what to do with the building has not yet been taken.