A church has been forced to close to the public for the first time because yobs have targeted the historic building.

For years, All Saints' Church in Maldon High Street has left its doors unlocked so visitors could come and go as they liked.

But after weeks of vandalism, the decision has been made to close the church and only open it for services.

Canon Peter Mason said: "We have had a real spate of vandalism and theft. Money boxes have been broken into, a heavy iron box has been turned over and a valuable crucifix has been stolen along with a clock and two candlesticks from the altar."

The thieves - thought to be a gang of youths - have also let off a fire extinguisher inside the church, and used the wheelchair kept for disabled visitors to race up and down the aisles.

Verger Ken Russell said that everybody was upset at having to lock up the church.

"The vicar and churchwarden have taken the decision to shut the church. Until now it has been open every day for as long as anybody can remember."

He added: "It's such a shame that all this has happened."

The police are looking into the thefts and vandalism, and Canon Mason is hoping to open up the church again once the culprits have been caught.

"We have no intention of keeping the church shut permanently," he said.

"It is very inconvenient because people need access to it at all different times for many different reasons.

"It is particularly upsetting that we have had to close it at this time of year when we start to get a lot more casual visitors."

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