A churchwarden today said vandals who broke into a church in Dovercourt had "desecrated" the building.

Ken Wheeler, warden at All Saints Church, Dovercourt, believes vandals who had removed a window and broken into the church returned three days later and broke in a second time.

Mr Wheeler said: "They came through the side door which they unlocked with a key, which must have been taken when they entered the church the first time."

"They have come back into the church and scoured it for anything. They have taken a printer, CD player, video player and kettle ," added Mr Wheeler.

They had been unable to break into the poor box, which is padlocked.

"I am frustrated," he said. "We have had to get in a specialist to put bars on the window for extra security measures.

"It is desecration."

But Mr Wheeler said services and activities at the church including coffee mornings and Sunday school, would carry on as normal.

Anyone with information should contact PC Leanne Salmon at Harwich police, on 01255 241312.