A PASTOR has spoken of his sadness after a car was torched outside his church, causing two of the building's windows to shatter.

Thieves set fire to the stolen red Austin Metro City outside the Elim Pentecostal Church in Edmonds Road, Lane End, in the early hours of last Friday.

The blaze was attended by firefighters from High Wycombe.

Pastor John Richards, in charge of the church, said that he did not know anything about the incident until the following day when he was informed by police.

He added: "I felt very sad when I saw what had happened.

"They had parked the car right beside the church. Although actual damage to the church itself is very small it seems typical of today.

"There is no concern or thought for other people's property. The whole thing has just been a real pain and a nuisance."

The church is still in a usable state although it will be inspected later this week by a team of experts to ascertain whether any further damage was caused in the blaze.

The vehicle was removed from the site earlier this week.

Police say the car was stolen from an address in Roberts Road, High Wycombe, on Christmas Day.

Any witnesses are urged to call police on (01494) 465888