A MEDIEVAL church which is a popular tourist spot en route to the Yorkshire Dales has been attacked by vandals.

But the vandalism at West Tanfield parish church, near Ripon, will not lead to its being locked up during the day said the rector, the Rev Mark Beresford-Peirse.

Children are believed to be responsible for the damage and so far no one has been traced.

During their trail of damage the youngsters:

l Scattered hymn books around;

l Overturned a desk full of books;

l Scattered drawing pins around the floor;

l Squirted cleaning fluid on woodwork and floors;

l Wrote comments in the visitors' book.

Mr Beresford-Peirse said the matter had not be reported to the police but parishioners were now on alert. He said he did not want to lock the building during the day because of the number of tourists it attracted.

"We welcome visitors and believe that this, in a way, can help to prevent this sort of behaviour if people are about."

He suspected the damage had been caused shortly before he arrived to lock the building, part of which dates from 1350 and is next to the Marmion tower, named after a family who moved to Tanfield in 1215.

"I am certain this was the work of children. What they did was stupid, silly and annoying. They did not write anything obscene, but it was just silly and childish comments," added Mr Beresford-Peirse.

He said the damage caused by the cleaning fluid had been difficult to remove and had meant a lot of extra work for the church cleaners.

West Tanfield church is one of the most photographed views in the county, often featuring in guide books and on calendars. The view from the three-arched bridge which crosses the River Ure is also a favourite haunt of artists.