Mindless vandals struck at Holy Trinity Church, in Orton Longueville, on Tuesday evening (16 September), using what are believed to be sticks or bricks to shatter scores of the delicate diamond shapes of glass which make up each of the windows, installed during the 18th century.

Devastated churchgoers arrived at the picturesque building – parts of which date back to 1240 – on Wednesday to arrange flowers for a forthcoming funeral and were left speechless and close to tears to find shards of glass covering the pews and the floor.

Today, the Rev Adam Dunning described the attack as a "hateful act", which would cost "thousands and thousands of pounds to repair".

He said: "I am speechless. How can someone do something like this to such a beautiful church?

"It is such a hateful act when we try to help the community wherever we can.

"I am outraged. Last month, some lead from the church was stripped away, but this attack is particularly ferocious.

"When I arrived at the church, there was just shattered glass everywhere.

"There is no evidence of any stones or pebbles around or inside the church, so we are unclear as to how exactly they smashed the windows.

"It must have been something that struck with force, as they have also snapped and bent the lead. Panes of glass have been shattered in every single window.

"We have a couple of funerals coming up over the next few days, with about 200 guests from all over the city. It has happened at a most cruel time.

"Thankfully, our only stained glass window was left untouched, probably because it is protected by a metal guard, but all of the windows are made of antique glass and were fitted in 1751, so they are going to cost thousands of pounds to replace."

Pc Andy Bridge, who is investigating the attack, is appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on Tuesday evening to come forward.

He said: "This attack on the church is simply mindless vandalism.

"These people have not just hit the windows once or twice, they would have been hit hundreds of times for them to look like they do now. Every single window has about a dozen panes of glass missing.

"All the lead will now have to be taken out and each window re-built. The church is looking at about £300 a pane."

Ward councillor for Orton Longueville Graham Murphy added: "I am lost for words. It makes me sick. These people wouldn't have achieved anything by doing it. It is sick, mindless vandalism.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anything to contact the police."

Anyone with any information should call police on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Police have arrested a 19-year- old man in connection with the incident. He is currently in custody at Thorpe Wood police station, Peterborough.