POLICE are desperate to trace three people seen leaving the scene of a terrifying nail bomb attack.

Thames Valley Police have renewed a witness appeal in the wake of the blast at the Elim Pentecostal Church in Lane End.

The bomb exploded just yards from the Francis Edmonds School in Edmonds Road at 11.30pm last Monday, blasting nails and screws against the back of the church.

Det Con Jason Liles said: "We are particularly keen to hear from two women and a man who were seen walking along a footpath that runs parallel to the back of the church moments after the device went off.

"They may have witnessed the incident and may have valuable information.

"This is a very unusual incident for High Wycombe and we would urge anyone to come forward with information."

Newly-elected Wycombe MP Paul Goodman (Con) spoke of his dismay that such an incident could happen in the constituency.

He contacted this newspaper as soon as he read of the attack and later told us: "It's extremely disturbing and worrying that this has happened so near to a site where people gather and so near to a school."

Stefan Moon, 27, of Simmons Way, Lane End, has two children at Francis Edmonds School. He said he was horrified that the bomb exploded so close to the school.

He added: "It is a bit disturbing. My kids go to that school. I am going to tell them to be careful.

"I think security should be stepped up at all schools anyway. I work in them sometimes and you can still just walk into most of them. I have not heard anything about it until now, which is unusual as I would have thought the mothers would have been told what is going on."

A woman, who was too scared to be named, said she was frightened for her children who go the school.

She added: "What sort of person would want to do something like that?

"I hope it is not the start of things to come."

Churches in Lane End have said they are taking precautions to make sure their parishioners are safe.

Vicar Robert Jennings from the Holy Trinity Church, Church Road, Lane End said: "I was concerned about it. But we are always vigilant and are always very careful."

A county council spokesman said: "We've done a lot of work on school security many of our schools have secure entry systems and all have signing in systems. "A great deal of work has been carried out to improve school security through building work particularly where properties are old we have also done a lot of landscaping work and installed CCTV in some areas.

"We hope that parents will continue to assist by pointing out any concerns they may have so that we can look into."

Francis Edmonds School headteacher Nicky Willis said: "As the area around the Elin centre was not cordoned off and I had not been informed by the police of any danger or risk to the children, I had to assume that it was safe to continue with our evening as planned.

"Because of the proximity of the Elin centre to the schoool and the shared use of the car park outside, I am confident that the police would have informed me of any risk. In a conversation with Inspector Kitchen on Friday, I was certainly led to believe that this was the case."

Witnesses are urged to call High Wycombe police on 01494 465888