A village church has been closed after vandalism caused about 1,500 litres of oil to leak from a smashed valve on a fuel tank.

The Rev Cathy Sigrist from St Nicholas Church, Ringwould, said she was left saddened by the crime. The leak was caused after the outlet from the oil tank in the church yard was smashed, either kicked or stood on, so the fuel flowed into the ground and also the boiler house.

"This means that because of the pollution and the fumes from the oil, we have had to close the church until we have been given confirmation that it is safe for us to hold services once again.

"Also the contaminated soil will have to be professionally removed and disposed of and the boiler house will probably have to be demolished because of the pollution.

"So we have no heating in the church and the ancient yew tree next to the church is in danger from the oil pollution. Only time will tell if it survives. In all likelihood it will cost tens of thousands of pounds to rectify the situation."

* For full story see the Mercury, May 24, page seven.