Vandals attack ancient religious shrine

Vandals have attacked the Knaresborough shrine

Vandals have attacked an historic chapel in a North Yorkshire market town for the second time in less than a year.

The 600-year-old shrine of Our Lady of the Crag in Knaresborough, a Grade I listed building, has had bricks thrown through the small leaded windows.

The tiny chapel, which measures 12ft by 8ft, is carved out of the rock face in the town as a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

Until the mid-90s the chapel was in the care of local historian and town crier Nancy Buckle who lived in the nearby House in the Rock.

Miss Buckle said the vandals are guilty of an attack on the history of Knaresborough, and she believes more needs to be done to safeguard the site.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said inquires are continuing into the attack.