Vandals have attacked a church building on five separate occasions in just over two weeks by smashing windows.

St Peter and St Mary’s Church in Stowmarket is now facing a repair bill of more than £1,000 to repair its windows at St Peter’s Church Hall.

People have been throwing rocks through the large windows at the hall at night.

Churchwarden Rod Lucas said volunteers were spending hours cleaning up the Victorian building following the attacks.

He said: “Some of the window panes have been replaced, smashed, replaced and then smashed again. Sometimes the putty has not had time to dry when the panes are smashed again.

“We are all retired and volunteers, Peter Hacker, had come in and he found 11 window panes had been smashed and it took him from 8.30-11.45am to clear up.

“Over the years we have had the odd incident but nothing like this. The cost of the repairs will come out of the church’s collection.

“With the panes being smashed repeatedly we are at the stage –because it’s an old building – where we might have to take the whole window frames out and replace them.”

Town mayor Vera Waspe said: “It’s awful to have this happen and it’s one of my chosen charities.

“I am shocked and it’s a shame as it’s a nice hall which is an important part of the community.” More than 20 window panes have been smashed between August 10-25.

Police have said they will step up patrols in the area.

Anyone with information should call officers on 101.