Worthing has for many decades had a love-hate relationship with the Dome cinema.

There is one train of thought that regards it as an attractive and unique Edwardian masterpiece that should be preserved at all costs.

Others think it is a fading relic, which should be demolished and replaced with a modern replica.

One suspects the debate will rage on for many years to come but the seafront landmark has always generated mixed opinions.

In the troubled summer of 1915, with casualties mounting in the trenches of France and Flanders, a row erupted over the name of the venue.

The Swiss-born proprietor, Carl Adolf Seebold, had christened it the Kursaal, and before the Great War erupted, nobody objected.

But as the town's youth bled to death in no-man's-land, attitudes began to change.

All things German were despised with a vengeance, with some even suggesting that Christmas should be boycotted because of its Germanic undertones.

Attention inevitably fell on the Kursaal, a name of Teutonic origin which grated on the nerves of Worthing's patriotic townsfolk.

Mr Seebold, perhaps realising that the "remarkably popular" business could be ruined if he didn't respond, staged a competition to find a new name.

One commentator of the day noted: "When the name was bestowed upon it there was no suspicion of German aggression but the events of the past 12 months have caused many people to regard with disfavour any names of distinctly Teutonic origin."

Hubert Snewin, a leading resident of the town, said the title Kursaal was obnoxious at the present time.

So Mr Seebold offered a £1 prize for a new name, and more than 400 suggestions from all classes were received.

The proposals are too numerous to mention in full but included The Worthing Cupola, The Joy Dome, The Rotunda, Khakidome, The Britannia, Albert Casino, Palace Entente, The Allieseum, King George Pleasure Palace, Palace of Delight, Marine Joy Palace, Happy Palace.

The list goes on: Worthing Gaiety Hall, Sunbeam Hall, Hall of Mirth, Neptune Hall, Alhambra, Whimsieland, Polydome, Novelty Gardens, Trocadero, The Arcadia, Salon de Joie, The Snuggeries, The Periscope, Anzac and Kia Ora.

One entrant even suggested The Kremlin, which thankfully failed to make the shortlist.

After careful consideration, Mr Seebold chose the Dome, which was a very popular selection among competitors in general.

The £1 prize was divided among the first four people to write in: Miss Mary Summers, of Church Walk; Mr W Tedder, of Lyndhurst Road; Miss F C Philpott, of York Road, and Thomas Chandler, of London Street.

So as you pop into the Dome to watch the latest Harry Potter or Lord Of The Rings blockbuster, it might be worth reflecting on the fact that the famous old venue might have been called the Khakidome, Whimsieland or The Periscope.