One of the Church of England's largest churches has been given access to part of a £2.5m grant for mission in Brighton and Hove.

St Peter's in Brighton, which was born out of London's famous Holy Trinity Brompton Church, will be tasked with developing four new congregations across the city.

The churches will focus on mission, through leadership development, social action, and youth and children's ministry.

Church planting has become a key part of St Peter's. It has overseen five successful church plants in recent years.

Vicar Archie Coates said: "We are delighted about the opportunity this funding will give the church across Brighton and Hove."

In Hove, funding has also been given to All Saints to develop a resource church.

The project will see the church becoming a centre for developing confident leaders in mission and seconding teams to other catholic parishes across the city. Father Ryan Green, vicar of All Saints, said: "This investment will enable All Saints to come into new and creative partnerships with other parishes in Brighton and Hove as we embrace the diversity of people who are part of this colourful and challenging city. 

"It will help us as we generate new projects that challenge and disrupt the injustices and inequalities that are all around us."

The money has come from the Church Commissioners' Strategic Development Fund, which supports major change projects which lead to a significant difference in dioceses' mission and financial strength.

Rt Rev Ruth Bushyager, Bishop of Horsham, said: "We are delighted at the news of our successful application for Strategic Development Funding. 

"This money will be used to revitalise and strengthen the mission and ministry of a number of churches in Brighton and Hove as we work and pray for the growth of the Kingdom of God in this vibrant and creative city."