Anger as vandals deface Prescot Parish Church

Criminal damage has been inflicted on the site of St Mary's Church, Prescot which dates back to Jacobean times.

Along with damage around the church, graffiti has also been written on to the walls of the historic building of worship.

The graffiti includes the names: "Ged, Ciara, Teagan, Denua, Emma, Pasty, Ellie, Izzy, Grace, Wiggo, Ste, Alex & Phe".

Graffiti on the wall

Prescot Parish Church has a rich history and the building largely rebuilt in 1610.

There is evidence of worship taking place there prior to this, with the circular shape of the churchyard indicating a church was on site before the Norman Conquest.

Also, parts of the fabric in the chancel and north vestry date possibly back to the 15th century.

After the church's Jacobean rebuild, the tower was built in 1729 and the spire added in 1797, designed by Henry Sephton, with the spire rebuilt after a lightning strike.

The aisles were widened between 1817 and 1819 and a restoration took place in 1876, with the south vestry added in 1900.

And in 1953 the aisles were rebuilt.

A volunteer group, the Friends of Prescot Cemetery & Churchyard have spent the past few years transforming the grounds of the Grade I listed church into a clean area for visitors.

Damage at the church grounds

Volunteers were upset to find the damage to the area last week.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokeswoman said: "At around 3.30pm on Tuesday, May 14, we received a report of criminal damage to St Marys C of E Church, Prescot.

"The incident has been filed pending any further evidence coming to light but anyone with information can contact us."

• Contact police @MerPolCC , or call 101 quoting reference: 19100242476. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.