The vicar of Baldock’s parish church has thanked the community for its support in the wake of an apparent act of vandalism over the weekend.

At some point during Friday night, a grotesque on the north porch of St Mary’s Church was broken – with stonework discovered on the ground on Saturday morning.

The damage comes after considerable efforts and expense to restore the Grade I-listed church, which was built by the Knights Templar and dates back to the 12th century.

Dozens of people have expressed sympathy and support since pictures of the damage were shared on social media over the weekend.

St Mary’s vicar Rev Andrew Holford told the Comet: “It’s slightly frustrating something like this happens, which holds us back from the real process of keeping the church as the focal point for the people of Baldock.

“We’re extremely grateful for all the warm support and sacrificial giving from the community in our efforts to keep the church in a first-grade state.

“This has contributed to £1.1 million raised in the last 10 years, and we’ve just put in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for support towards phase three of the restoration – taking in our nave roof, pews, pew flooring, sound and data projection.”

Anyone with information about the apparent vandalism on the north porch should call police on 101, quoting crime reference G3/17/514.