The Vicar of St Peter's at Conisbrough, the Rev Alan Griffiths, led the congregation in a short prayer service before rolling up their sleeves and starting work.

They worked together to clear up the shattered stained glass windows and religious artefacts which were smashed when yobs went on the rampage inside the church, part of which dates back to 750, on Monday afternoon.

Mr Griffiths told The Star that the reaction of locals had been one of "sadness and anger".

He said: "We have always had a policy of keeping the church open at all times and we have never locked the doors. "We have never had any previous vandalism or problems of any kind, so for this to happen is really sad.

"Some of the damage will be covered by insurance but there is bound to be a shortfall.

"One stained glass window in particular is of Medieval origin and so is absolutely irreplaceable."

"We have no idea why this has happened. We don't know if it's just adolescent vandalism, someone with bitterness towards the church, or someone fuelled by drink or drugs."

Church warden Rita Dudhill added: "We think it might have been some time on Monday afternoon because the visitors' book had been signed earlier that day so it must have been after that.

"We have always left the church open from 9am to 4pm and have had very little trouble before this.

Conisbrough can be a boozer's paradise at the weekend so we don't know if its mindless vandalism by people who had been drinking or someone with a grudge against the church.

"We open our doors to everyone but some members of the congregation will be wanting to lock the doors now."

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the criminal damage to call 0114 2202020 quoting incident number 790 of August 25.





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