A victorian church damaged in the 1987 "hurricane" has been hit by an unexpected £20,000 repair bill - 18 years after the great storm struck.

Elders at Christ Church, in Worthing, were stunned to learn that roof repairs carried out following the storm were not done properly.

Workmen called in to make the church watertight in an £80,000 revamp found that some slates had nails driven through the middle of them.

This had allowed water to penetrate under the slates.

The Reverend John Chitham, vicar of the church, in Christ Church Road, was dismayed by the extra bill but said the work had to be done.

Builders are also carrying out repairs to guttering and stonework to the historic church, which has a flint facade.

In the summer of 2006, a £100,000 scheme to repair the tower will commence, the money mainly coming from the sale of the church hall, opposite the Hare and Hounds pub.

Meanwhile, the search for a new rector to take over the town centre parish of Christ The King, which includes Christ Church, continues following the retirement of the Reverend Garry Guinness.