Occult ceremonies may be behind a vandalism attack on a tiny village church in Oxfordshire.

The churchwarden of the 13th century St Swithun's church in Compton Beauchamp believes devil-worshippers are to blame.

Intruders entered the unlocked church and smashed the tabernacle - the container which holds the communion chalice and sacraments - causing damage estimated at £500.

A red Ford Escort with three occupants, one of them a red-haired female, was seen near the church.

The parish, which only has a handful of regular worshippers, is run jointly with the adjoining villages of Ashbury, Longcot and Fernham.

Churchwarden Richard Argles said he believed the vandals struck because the church was left open each day for anyone to worship.

He said: "They were probably trying to get to the chalice and sacraments, as apparently these are used for Satanist services at places like Wayland Smithy. Someone told me there's one every year.

"We've just spent thousands of pounds on restoration work, and now the tabernacle will have to be remade. It's not so much that, it's the defilation of a very beautiful and much-used church. We're all a bit horrified, but we're not prepared to close our church because of the vandalism."

Insp Paul Kirkland, of Wantage police, said the incident was being treated as pure vandalism, and he was not aware of any link to occult activities.

In the wake of Mr Argles's claims, Keith Blaxall, National Trust head warden for west Oxfordshire, investigated Wayland Smithy, a neolithic burial chamber near White Horse Hill. He said he found only litter but added: "It does get used for strange things at times. We get corn dollies and candles left there, but not with much frequency."

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