SHOCKED parishioners are angry after thieves caused thousands of pounds worth of damage as they smashed their way into two church buildings.

Amersham Free Church and the Amersham St John's Methodist Church, both in Woodside Road, Amersham, were targeted overnight between last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Free Church will now have to foot a £1,000 bill for vandalism caused to the property.

The offenders ate biscuits left inside and stole £3.50 belonging to a day care centre for old people.

They also caused £1,500 of damage at St John's, leaving church leaders devastated.

Margaret Howard, premises secretary, and a member of Amersham Free Church for 16 years said: "We are saddened at the mindless vandalism, and that's all it is, and we are so shocked at it.

"There are so many users it is impossible to be like Fort Knox. We would so like to have the church open for people at any time for some quiet, and peace in the sanctuary, but it is awful as unless we are there we can't do it.

"It was so petty. They ate the biscuits and took £3.50 belonging to a day care centre for old people, and they wrecked our first-aid box to patch up their wounds from smashing the doors.

"They also used our standard lamp for battering a door down.

"We will have to deal with the damage ourselves and it is a shame the money isn't going to a worthwhile cause. It is such a nuisance."

Cllr Josie Ricketts, Mayor of Amersham, was outraged after hearing about the burglary.

She said: "I'm disgusted and horrified. It is shocking, especially in a sacred place. They will think it is big and clever. Why should they be allowed to spoil everything?"

David Waters, property co-ordinator for St John's Methodist church, has been a member for around 30 years. He said he was disappointed when he heard about the extent of the damage.

He said: "It is such an inconvenience as we cannot use one of the rooms as it had been so badly damaged. It happens, and we just have to live with it, but there has been damage to all the big wooden doors and they broke in to the cupboards.

"They took nothing. They were looking for valuables but didn't find anything. Some churches have silver plates but not here. We have a Sunday collection box but we always bank that straight away."

If you have any information, call PC Mark Golds at Amersham police station on (01494) 465888