Church choir 'left shaken' after rehearsal attack

A 170-year-old stained glass window was damaged in the attack at St Mary the Virgin church in West Derby

Vandals damaged a 170-year-old stained glass window at a church and assaulted a member of the choir, police have said.

Officers were called to West Derby Village in Liverpool just after 22:00 BST on Friday following reports of youths causing a disturbance outside St Mary the Virgin church while choir practice was taking place inside.

A parishioner who went out to challenge the group suffered an injured ear, added a Merseyside Police spokesperson.

The force confirmed it was investigating reports of criminal damage and assault.

The church has started a Go Fund Me page to help repair the damage

A member of the parish council, Rosemary Critchley, said an online appeal had been set up to help pay for the window's repairs.

"We were all absolutely shattered when we saw what we saw," she said.

"Had the younger members of the choir been there as they normally are, it would have been a terrifying experience.

"Many members of the choir are in their 60s, 70s – even older – and it is isn't a very pleasant experience."

She said that while the church's insurance will cover part of the repairs, the fundraising efforts had been set up "to show our determination to do something good out of this".