Howling teenage goths stormed into a church and started shouting "Satan".

The 175 people at St Andrew's Church, Tarring, Worthing, were stunned as the trio, clad in black clothes, tried to ruin a fund-raising concert.

Thought to be in their late teens and drunk, the youths burst through the 14th Century church's doors on Saturday and began screaming.

Members of the congregation rushed to shepherd them out of the church but the three returned minutes later and frightened some of parishioners.

Father Edward Jervis thought the disturbance was "unbelievable" and said there had been similar incidents around the town.

He suspected the same youths came back later and vandalised the church doors.

Fr Jervis said: "Several people had to chase them out. They were howling and bellowing. This is not unheard of.

"It was so unpleasant. I think they are part of a movement who style themselves as goths.

"They are dressed in black, have dyed black hair and ashen-looking faces and seem to be making a name for themselves."

The rector said the concert, to raise funds for the church's mosaics restoration, was excellent.

The Salvation Army band carried on performing throughout the invasion.