By JULIA RAVENSCROFT

MINDLESS vandals broke into St Thomas's Church and smashed a window with weights from the clock tower over the Easter weekend.

The teenage yobs targeted the London Road church on three occasions on Easter Sunday and Monday, first breaking into the tower while a bereavement service was taking place.

The Rev Brian Harris said that he heard them in the tower and told them to leave, but a group returned later and smashed a window with the weights.

The church was also targeted on the Monday evening when part of the irreplaceable stonework around a door was damaged.

Rev Harris said: "We certainly hope there won't be any more trouble as they haven't been back since the Monday night.

"I suppose they will target anything which is deserted at night where they are not likely to be disturbed."

Youths are often spotted loitering around the church at night.

Police want to speak to anyone who spotted youths hanging around, or who saw anything suspicious at the church on the evenings in question. The police can be contacted on 652222.