A church congregation in Ipswich is said to be 'distraught' after its nativity scene was vandalised.

The figure of Joseph outside All Saints Church was beheaded and others were ripped apart by vandals who also damaged the wooden frame.

The nativity had only been put up a few days beforehand. The vicar, Rev Danny Morrison said: "I was distraught, I was saddened, I was bewildered.

"Why would someone have so much hatred and desire to ruin and destroy something that is not their property, and something that is there to express someone's belief?
"I am also saddened because I know the amount of work put in by so many at the church, and also saddened for the people that have done it.
"What state might their life be like if they find pleasure in doing this? I am trying to make sense which I really can't."

The nativity scene has been set up outside the church every Christmas for the last five years, although it suffered a similar attack of vandalism in 2018. 

Jane Cornish, who is a leader at the church, said:"It took a long time to put up the figures and make the display look nice, and we feel is something that is appreciated around here.

"It was so sad when we arrived in the morning to see it in bits on the ground."