The prayers of a Baptist congregation were answered when they were granted permission to build a new church on the site of a derelict bakery.

Downs Baptist Church in Woodingdean, Brighton, applied to Brighton and Hove Council to build a church on a corner of the former Sunblest bakery site in Falmer Road.

Planning chiefs had earlier refused the application on the grounds the land was earmarked for industrial use.

But the church appealed to Environment Secretary John Prescott.

The homeless congregation, which currently hires three schools and an Anglican Church Hall for its meetings, held an outdoor service at the former bakery to pray for planning permission.

Now Mr Prescott has overturned the council's decision, saying the church could act as a catalyst to revitalise the business park.

He also said the Baptist Church needed its own premises, no other site was likely to become available and council policy allowed for the restrictions on industrial land to be relaxed.

The church complex would be a resource for the whole business park, providing catering, conference and childcare services.

Pastor Graham Horsnell, 53, said: "This is a welcome breakthrough. Local congratulations have been pouring in and the whole community is absolutely delighted.

"We are really looking forward to taking this forward with the developer, St Modwen.

"We have been intrigued and delighted to discover that St Modwen was a Seventh Century nun who came to England and built at least two churches.

"We are pleased to help continue the tradition and heritage of the company."