RAIDERS caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage during a break-in at a Newport church.

A stained-glass window worth £5,000 was destroyed, and a safe containing priceless silver goblets and plates was damaged, costing another £5,000, during the raid at St Andrew's in Lliswerry. Nothing was stolen from the safe.

Officers said those who carried out the raid knew what they were doing. It is thought they used specialist cutting equipment to attack the safe. Paul Evans, the church's Eucharist minister, said: "A church is a sanctuary, and anybody who desecrates a church needs their head examined.

"The damage is terrible, they have made a terrible mess. Everybody here is very sad."

The raiders smashed their way into the church through a stained-glass window that was put in last year.

They made their way to the vestry, where they attempted to cut their way through the safe.

Mr Evans said: "The safe contained the silver goblets, tray and plate for the Eucharist. Luckily they didn't manage to get them.

"It looks like a professional job. They must have known what they were doing because they put the bishop's robes over the windows to block out any sparks."

The Reverend Philip Musindi, vicar of St Andrew's, added: "This is really sad. The damage they have caused is awful."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said the break-in took place some time between 7.30pm on Monday and 10am Tuesday.

Anyone who heard or saw anything is urged to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.