The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is disturbed to have learned that the face of Jesus and saints on a church’s Victorian stained-glass windows were shot at deliberately.

The national organisation in charge of protecting historic churches at risk said it was devastated to have discovered the attack at St Helen's, Little Cawthorpe, Lincolnshire on the Tuesday before Easter and could only describe it as someone using the windows for “target practice”.

CCT said the crime is especially “upsetting to local people from the tiniest parish in Lindsey who cherish this church and who saved it from certain demolition”.

The charity added: “Our conservation team are inspecting the damage and specialist stained glass experts will be sought to evaluate the best way to repair the damage. Sadly this will likely cost thousands of pounds.”

It has launched an appeal to help fix the smashed windows.

Lincolnshire Police has launched an investigation.