A former cannabis cafe closed down by police is being turned into a church.

Worthing planners agreed at the 11th hour that the site of the controversial cafe, in a warehouse above a vehicle workshop off Cross Street, can be taken over by the Elim Church and converted.

Initially the borough council's development control committee had been advised to turn down the application, which included the workshop, because it would have resulted in the loss of business space.

But late representations from supporters of the scheme swayed councillors in favour of the church, which will cater for up to 235 worshippers.

Architect Wayne Gander submitted a letter saying the first floor of the site had previously been used as a cannabis cafe, which was subsequently shut by the police.

He said: "It was a matter of great concern to the immediate residents.

"Worthing has a drugs problem and every effort must be exercised to eliminate our community of this problem."

Worthing estate agent Michael Jones said he had tried to market the property, near the town's main railway station, for the past two years, but interest had been pretty low.

The Elim Christian Fellowship said it ran about 400 churches in Britain and had been worshipping in the town since 1922.

The complex had space for about 25 cars but councillors were concerned that this wasn't enough.

They were also worried about congestion in Cross Street, a bus route, and also feared excessive singing by the congregation could annoy neighbours.

But Councillor Peter Green said the workshop had been a source of noise which travelled across the railway line to properties some distance away.