Vandalised church is 'cleansed'

This valuable painting was damaged in the attack

A rededication service to "cleanse" a Powys church which was vandalised on Easter Sunday has been held.

Vandals smashed crucifixes, damaged a valuable painting and let off fire extinguishers at St Michael's and All Angels in Clyro, near Hay-on-Wye.

More than 100 people attended the service in which the Reverend Heather Baker asked for forgiveness for the vandals.

Two youths arrested in connection with the incident are currently on bail.

An altar cross was used during the attack to tear a picture of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

The Reverend Baker said items at the church had been smeared in excrement and two fire extinguishers were set off during the attack, just hours after the traditional Easter Sunday service.

More than 100 people attended the service

"Given the unpleasant nature of the attack, we thought it was appropriate to hold a special service of cleansing and rededication," she said.

She explained the church was normally unlocked during the day because of its connection with the Reverend Francis Kilvert, the diarist, who was curate there between 1865 and 1872.

But for the time being she said the church would be locked 24 hours a day.