A Barnoldswick church is counting the cost after several windows were damaged by vandals.

Using stones, they targeted six 10in by 10in panes in a window next to the altar at Holy Trinity.

Officials suspect the attack was carried out by a group of people hanging around at the back of the church.

Churchwarden Mark Williams said: “The window is right next to the area where they gather, so this window was in the firing line. But we’ve had a dozen or more window panes that have been put through in various incidents in the past.

“A glazier is coming to assess the damage, but we expect it will cost £200 or more.”

According to Mr Williams and fellow churchwarden Natalie Winstanley, such incidents had put a strain on an already-tight church budget.

“This will cost a lot of money,” said Mrs Winstanley. “We’d rather not spend money that we haven’t got.”

Mr Williams said the church experienced a similar problem a couple of years ago and he feared it could “rear its ugly head again”.

He said such incidents did not just affect members of congregation, but the community as a whole.

“It doesn’t look very nice,” said Mr Williams. “This church is not just here for those attending a Sunday morning service. There are a lot of local people who use it for weddings, funerals and christenings.”

The church is liaising with police, who are investigating the incident, to try to prevent further damage.

However, measures such as security lights and CCTV could be expensive, said Mr Williams.

“This has not come at good time for us,” he added.

Former vicar the Rev John Lancaster retired earlier this month after 26 years in the parish.