CHURCH leaders today warned that their place of worship was being destroyed by a spate of night-time attacks from vandals.

They claimed that many of the leaded windows at Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth town centre have been shattered over the last 10 days by stone-throwing youths.

Now they fear the church organ may be hit by a stone or suffer damage from rain seeping through the windows, which are full of holes.

Church warden Liz Williams said: "The leaded windows are being systematically stoned at night. We are devastated by the attacks and annoyed this is happening.

"We first noticed the problem about 10 days ago. The organ is now open to the elements and is vulnerable to damage and we are particularly concerned about that.

"Glass has been shattered about 30 feet inside the church and it's worrying because it was spread near the font where children play during Sunday morning services.

"Although the damage will be covered by insurance we will still have to pay the excess and funds are low. We may have to put protective grilles on the windows."

She believes the vandals aimed stones at the church, or fired an airgun while standing in nearby Trinity Terrace at night.

Canon Richard Franklin has also voiced his concern about the attacks.

The church, which stands on the North Quay side of Weymouth town bridge, is one of the largest in the town.

Police said they have received 10 reports of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the Holy Trinity Church area at North Quay over the last two months.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Youths and homeless people tend to congregate at Chapelhay Steps at night.

"There is a park nearby which gives them a ready supply of stones.

"We would ask anyone who sees an act of vandalism to contact the police."

The vandalism comes after yobs smashed up a sailing beacon at the Nothe earlier this year. Vandals also smashed bottles and caused damage near the lifeboat house and yacht club.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the church attacks is urged to call the police on 01305 222222.