SLEEPY Appleton Thorn is beset by vandalism.

As reported previously in the Warrington Guardian, vandals trashed a flagpole dedicated to former village hall fundraising chairman Paul White just hours after his funeral.

But the vandalism has been more widespread with damage found at nearby houses and gardens where cars and windows have been attacked.

Yet one of the worst hit areas has been the village church, St Cross in the centre of the village.

The Rev Elaine Chegwin Hall, vicar of St Cross, said the church had suffered significantly.

She said: "We have been raising money for the installation of a toilet, kitchen facilities and building work, and because of vandalism to our walls and windows we have had bills of more than £1,800 "People have worked hard to fundraise and the money just disappears like mist because of what we've had to repair.

"Even services were disrupted due to the significant amount of broken glass inside the church."

Parishioners spent thousands of pounds raising money for the church - work included providing toilets for the first time in the 150-plus-year history of the rural church.

The Rev Chegwin Hall said police officers and the community support officers were aware of the situation and have ensured that the police CCTV van has been operating in the area.