DRUG addicts have been using a historic church and its grounds to shoot up.

Discarded needles and drug paraphernalia have been found in the churchyard and upstairs gallery at St Peter’s Church, Colchester.

The Rev Fred Woods, of the North Hill church, which is often visited by tourists as it is mentioned in the Domesday Book, said syringes had been found by volunteers inside the building.

However, he said they were usually discarded in the churchyard.

He added: “It’s not a big problem. It’s like any public space – it can happen.”

Mr Woods said there was no question of limiting access.

He added: “It is important for us to keep it open. It attracts lots of visitors, many of them from abroad. If it is occasionally used in that way, we have to accept that.

“It’s not nice they are harming themselves, but if people are using drugs, they will find a quiet place to inject. It might be a park, a quiet street or a church.

“I feel sorry for the people who are addicted. I don’t feel a great sense of outrage that they are doing it in a church.”

He added he was unsure whether the finds had been reported to police.

But said he was working with Colchester Council to tidy up the churchyard and remove shrubs which could be used to hide used needles.

Henry Spyvee, town mayor and ward councillor, said: “I’m afraid churches these days are not necessarily treated as different, and indeed churches try to engage with people and with that go risks.

“It’s up to them how they deal with it. Hopefully the work to the churchyard will either prevent or reduce the amount of needles.”