Abbey members look to future

More than 200 people attended the service on Sunday

Church members say they have a "mammoth task" ahead of them to restore Waltham Abbey in Essex since it was severely damaged in an axe attack.

The historic abbey's organ, statues, a pulpit and a stained glass window were smashed on Friday afternoon.

Church warden Rita Blake told BBC Essex: "It's going to take several months, if not years, before we can get everything back to normal."

Martin Miles, 47, from Waltham Abbey town, is due to appear in court on Monday charged with wounding a 62-year-old man with intent during the incident.

Canon Webster led services on Sunday

On Sunday, about 200 people attended the first service to be held at the abbey since the attack.

Speaking before the service, Canon Martin Webster said: "We will work for an atmosphere of hope and forgiveness."

The cost of repairing the damage has been put at about £200,000.

Rita Blake said church members were waiting for insurance assessors to visit the abbey before they decided on their first step.

"This is a mammoth task we've got ahead of us."

Police officers were first alerted to reports of an attack in Highbridge Street, Waltham Cross, at about 1330 GMT on Friday.

Several cars were damaged between the street and the town's abbey - reputed to be the burial spot of King Harold.