SECURITY guards could soon be patrolling an East Dorset church after vandals smashed a stained-glass window in a late-night attack.

Flowerpots from graves were among items hurled at the showpiece window behind the high altar of St Michael and All Angels Church in Verwood.

The incident is the latest in a spate of anti-social behaviour involving troublemakers in the church grounds.

Vicar the Rev Andrew Sinclair discovered the most recent damage when he arrived for morning prayer at 7.30am on Tuesday.

He told the Daily Echo: "I feel sad and angry but also shocked that this has happened. Obviously there are people who do not understand what the church is here for.

"What is the motivation behind it? I would like to have a chat with the people who did this.

"They need to see what they have destroyed and the upset and hurt they have caused the hundreds of people who come here to worship.

"It is also going to cause great upset to those who tend the graves."

The cost of repairing the 110-year-old window depicting the crucifixion is expected to run into hundreds of pounds.

Mr Sinclair said the church was now planning on erecting a security grill around the window at an additional £1,000.

And he added: "I have had an offer from a retired security guard who wants to patrol the church at night.

"The Parochial Church Council will seriously be considering it.

"At the moment the police are very hard-pressed so an offer from someone who is prepared to give their time for free is a bonus."

Mr Sinclair said other incidents of anti-social behaviour included blackcurrant juice being thrown into a church meeting room while a service was under way and banging on windows during worship.

Dorset Police Insp David Ayres, section commander for the area, said: "My officers have been tasked to liase with the church to identify who is responsible for this.

"It is outrageous behaviour."

Anyone with information should contact Verwood Police Station on 01202 828080 and leave a message for Pc Petty.