A church near Worthing was cordoned off amid fears a broken bell was about to fall 40ft.

The bell came away from one of its supporting pivots and hung precariously over the aisle when staff at St John The Baptist Church, Findon, tested it.

Firefighters were called to check the bell and two baptism services had to be held in the church's side chapel while the rest of the building was cordoned off.

Church warden Bob Barber said: "It's a long way up and, although it is not a particularly big bell, it is 15in high and must weigh quite a few pounds.

"If it collided with someone it could do terrible damage."

Mr Barber is now trying to get hold of a contractor to make repairs.