A STAINED glass window at St Michael's Church, Brentor has been smashed after the church was viciously attacked by vandals last Wednesday evening (June 12).

Offenders entered the church and caused serious damage, which including a store cupboard torn off the wall, a fire extinguisher let off, showering water over the whole church, a gas light mantle was smashed and the front of the altar kicked in.

However, the most serious damage was the smashing of the stained glass window of the Archangel Michael, probably with a fire extinguisher. A stained glass repairer has been contacted and the window will now have to be removed for restoration, the cost of which will run into at least £2,000.

Nothing was stolen and no attempt was made to break into the wall safe, where donations are kept.

The rector of the parish, the Rev Ian Sykes said people where 'very disturbed and distressed' by this 'wanton damage'.

'It is a very special place for many people, parishioners and visitors from the West Devon area, and further afield including many from other countries,' said Mr Sykes.

The church will remain closed until the cleaning-up has been done.

The first church at Brentor was believed to have been built in 1130 and people have been worshipping in Brentor for nearly 900 years since.

Jenifer Venning, who has been organist at the church for 36 years said she was shocked and upset by the vandalism but was determined the church would be restored to its proper state.

'It means a great deal, not only to those of us who live here, but to literally hundreds of thousands of people who have visited Brentor and been enthralled by the beauty and the spiritual atmosphere,' said Mrs Venning.

'With the church closed for six months last year due to the foot and mouth outbreak, this is just another disaster to cope with,' she added.

Mrs Venning — with her daughter Julie, landlady of the Brentor Inn — she has started doing her bit for fund-raising for refurbishment by holding a strawberry tea and car boot sale at the Brentor Inn, at 2.30pm, on Sunday, June 30.

Police are appealing for information about the vandalism of the church, which occurred last Wednesday sometime between 5pm and 7pm.