THE congregation of a Norman church at the heart of a market town are in shock after a man was arrested over an alleged act of desecration.

North Yorkshire Police said a 37-year-old man from Malton was arrested hours after an incident at St Michael's Church, in the town's Market Place, overnight between Friday (June 19) and Saturday (June 20).

He has been bailed to appear at Scarborough Magistrates' Court on July 6.

Police declined to detail how the church had been damaged.

It is understood a concert, which had been due to be staged in the church on Saturday, was held at the nearby Milton Rooms.