Vandals caused several thousand pounds damage to St Peter's Church in Whitmore Avenue, Grays.

The altar, statues, pews, cabinets and lights were smashed. The discovery was made when cleaners arrived at the church on Saturday morning.

Wrecked - the church was smashed up by yobs who broke a window to get in Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

They noticed the door was open and a window had been broken.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "This is senseless vandalism that has caused great distress."

Published Monday, January 13, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo