WORSHIPPERS turned up for Sunday Morning Mass to find their church’s windows had been put out by vandals.

Chunks of masonry torn from a nearby wall were hurled at St Pius X RC Church, on Essex Avenue, Moorside, Consett, breaking about a dozen windows and damaging the floor inside where they landed.

Parishioners set to and cleared away the debris and the 11am service went ahead as planned.

It is believed the damage was done overnight between Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15.

Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Parish Priest Father Andrew Downie said the damage was discovered at about 9.30am - 90 minutes before the service was due to start.

He said: “There was a heck of a mess inside with broken glass everywhere.

“When I arrived the parishioners were in the middle of clearing everything up and we were able to go ahead with the Sunday Morning Mass as usual, but just a few minutes late.

“We have had some problems before. Another window was broken a couple of weeks ago but we have had nothing on this scale before and it is very disturbing for the parishioners.”

The smashed windows have been boarded up and the possibility of using a polycarbonate covering for the windows is being looked at to prevent further damage in the future.

Ftr Downie said: “It is impossible to know who is doing it. It is not young children, given the size of the lumps of masonry they are putting through the windows. It could be older teenagers or even adults.”

He added that the Mass attracted a congregation of about 100 people and that the church was well used through the week by several groups and for various activities.

“We would like to see somebody come forward with information that will enable the police to find the people who have done it so we can put a stop to it.”

Insp Keith Wardle, of the Consett Neighbourhood police team, said: "I attended this incident and it was clear that members of the community and congregation were visibly upset and shaken.

“Fortunately, the congregation, assisted by the attending officers, were able to clear the debris from inside the church and the Sunday Mass was able to take place."

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Consett police on the Durham Constabulary non-emergency number, 101, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.