THE rector of an Alresford church which was targeted by vandals said she has been left shocked by the incident.

As previously reported, a noticeboard and three wooden Easter crosses have both been knocked down in the grounds of St John's Church on East Street.

It is believed the vandalism occurred early on Thursday, March 28, days before the church's Easter services.

READ MORE: Town-centre church 'vandalised' as noticeboard and Easter crosses knocked down

Speaking to the Chronicle, Revd. Heather Brearey said that, while the crosses were easily re-erected, the noticeboard will cost £2500 to replace.

Hampshire Chronicle: The noticeboard will cost £2,500 to replaceThe noticeboard will cost £2,500 to replace (Image: Alresford Area Churches)

She said: “It definitely was (vandalism). It wasn’t wind or anything like that. The crosses had been pushed over in different directions – if the wind had taken them they would have fallen in the same direction – and to get the noticeboard out of its fixing out of the ground would have taken a lot of work. It’s irreparable as well. We’ll have to replace it, hopefully our insurance should cover it.

“It’s very upsetting and shocking, particularly at Easter. We have felt as if we have been attacked.

“It is probably good that it happened at Easter. We can say ‘Jesus died on the cross today, Good Friday, and he rose again three days later’. We have been attacked and knocked, but we will pick ourselves up and we will carry on doing God’s work here.

“We’ve just had our hour on the cross for Good Friday, and Jesus’ death on the cross was for our sins and we are forgiven and we will forgive. We have been praying for whoever did this as I suspect they are quite troubled.”

Despite this, Revd. Brearey was able to look on the bright side of things, saying: “I shall use (this experience) to preach in some way on Sunday. We will turn it around for good.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The crosses were easily re-erectedThe crosses were easily re-erected (Image: Alresford Area Churches)

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A post on the Alresford Area Churches Facebook page says: "Unfortunately, we have had a serious vandalism event at the church early this morning. Our noticeboard has been destroyed and our three large wooden Easter crosses in the churchyard have been uprooted and toppled over.

"If anyone has any information or heard anything odd in the night, please do contact us at t. 01962 733545 or email: arlevalleychurches@gmail.com. Thank you."

Hampshire police has been contacted for more information.