Two bishops have opened a controversial £1.8 million shelter for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.

Delaney House, in Selden Road, East Worthing, will cater for 12 homeless people who will start moving in on April 10.

The complex, run by the Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, was opened by the Rt Rev Lindsay Urwin, Anglican Bishop of Horsham, and the Rt Rev Kieran Conry, Catholic Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.

They planted an olive tree to mark the opening of the Projects' fourth hostel in the town.

Niall Read, the recovery project manager, said addicts could stay at the shelter for up to two years but most would remain between six and nine months.

He said they could continue to drink and use drugs but not on the premises.

Addicts would receive support in a bid to manage and reduce their substance abuses, while also learning skills such as cooking, managing a budget and doing voluntary work.

Heroin users would be shown how to inject more safely and Mr Read hoped some would be able to kick their habits.

He said reductions in abuse would be measured by alcohol and drug testing.

Amid fears that the shelter would cater for people from other towns and cities, Mr Read said 90 per cent of clients would have a Worthing connection going back three years.

He added: "There should be very little noise. Because it is such a managed environment it will be quieter than the rest home that was here before."

Mr Read said there would be a minimum of two staff on duty in the 30-room complex at any one time, with regular visits by social workers, substance abuse workers and volunteers.

He said meetings had been held with neighbours who were concerned about addicts living nearby but added: "People are afraid of the unknown but we will be part of the community.

"The property will be better maintained than ever. We will see some amazing changes in the people who come here."

Charity fundraising manager Alison Godfrey said: "Funding this project has been a challenge.

It was a lot of money for a small charity to raise."

Tony Chasteauneuf, general manager of the WCHP, said the shelter would give people hope.

The Rt Rev Conry said he was privileged to be associated with the project, adding: "There will be lots of people over the years who will say, 'Thank you Worthing for what you did for me'."

Delaney House, formerly Whitcomb House, was renamed after a homeless man, Pat Delaney, who died of hypothermia while sleeping rough in Worthing town centre in 2003.