ONE of the youths who ransacked a Bridport church has written a letter of apology.

The repentant youngster wrote to the congregation at St Mary’s in South Street expressing remorse for the raid.

The move came after The Dorset Echo’s sister paper, The Bridport News, carried CCTV pictures last week of youths to whom police wished to speak in connection with the incident.

John Cooke, who is one of the church wardens, said: “We had a letter of apology from one of the young people involved.

“The rector, The Rev Andrew Evans, read it out on Sunday.

“It said they were sorry for what they had done and expressed their apology to the church.”

He added: “People were pleased at least one person took the trouble.

“I understand the person did it on their own initiative and was under no pressure from the parents or school.”

The Bridport News told last week how a group desecrated the church by stealing three choir robes worth £200 each and vandalised the nativity scene.

The raid happened on New Year’s Eve but police only released CCTV images last week.

Mr Cooke said he believed that police had an idea who the culprits were but that the investigation was ongoing and that officers would take appropriate action.

Now the church has ordered replacement robes but has had to pay an excess on its insurance claim and faces an increased premium because of the claim.

The church fitted CCTV cameras after a spate of several thefts 18 months ago. A police spokesman said there was no update on the case and renewed an appeal for witnesses. Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01305 222222.