MINDLESS vandals who kicked up grave markers and used a bird bath as a “battering ram” have left a small church facing thousands of pounds in repair costs.

Parishioners of St Margaret’s Church in Bowers Gifford, a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 14th century, have been left heartbroken after being targeted by a gang of vandals who attacked its grounds and pulled tiles from the roof.

The yobs attempted to use a heavy stone bird-bath as a “battering ram” to gain access to the church on Tuesday night, but were prevented by the iron gates along the doorway. Damage to the roof suggests they then climbed up and attempted to break through to gain entry.

Church warden, Nikki Dilorenzo, 43, said: “They climbed up on the porch, damaged the roof and went round the back of the church and damaged the organ motor by smashing open the cupboard.

“They have damaged where the ashes were spread and the plaques, dug the pots up and damaged a grave, and used a birdbath as a battering ram.

“This has caused thousands of pounds of damage; we are looking at tens of thousands as it is a church that is a Grade II.” 

Damage - Nikki stood near some of the roof damage Damage - Nikki stood near some of the roof damage (Image: Nikki Dilorenzo) Trashed - The damaged church entrance Trashed - The damaged church entrance (Image: Nikki Dilorenzo)

Nikki is appalled by the situation and has emphasised the financial and emotional havoc wreaked on the “small but tight-knit” community.

“It is not like they have done any of this with purpose, it feels personal to me though,” she added.

“My nan was a long standing member of the church and we are meant to be having her funeral on the 13th, it looks awful and this is somewhere she loved.

“My mother-in-law’s ashes are ruined as well. We are a small community and people have been married here and buried here, it is just heart-breaking.”

Members of the community have volunteered to clean up the damage following the incident, but Nikki added this was the “last thing the community needed”.

Nikki said: “This will have a massive knock-on effect on the community, we have had lots of people volunteer to clean it up and it goes to show the church is loved, but for this to happen affects a lot of people.”

Essex Police has confirmed an investigation has been launched and has urged anyone with information to contact the force on 101 or essex.police.uk, quoting incident 542 of 30 October.