CELEBRATIONS of a church's 900th anniversary are being marred by vandals.

In recent months, the culprits have targeted St Mary's Parish Church on the cliff top at Whitby, North Yorkshire.

They have smashed railings on the famous 199 church stairs leading from the harbour to the church. Other damage has included broken windows and now roof top security lights have been broken, said the rector, the Reverend David Smith.

He said the church has been raising thousands of pounds to carry out restoration work, but money has had to be channeled into carrying out repairs.

The town's police are to step up patrols at the church and have appealed for information to find the culprits.