Vandals wrecked a church twice in a week causing damage costing almost £5,000.

Lights, computers, projectors, ceiling tiles, guitars and vases were smashed, fire extinguishers set off and bleach poured over surfaces in attacks at the Lancing Tabernacle Church on Friday and Monday.

Sussex Police believe the same people carried out both break-ins and have issued a £500 reward for anybody who gives information leading to their arrest and conviction.

The appeal comes as police are investigating appalling damage done to more than 100 graves at a cemetery in Worthing for the second time in a year.

Pastor John Woods has led the church in North Road, Lancing, since 1997.

On Friday morning he discovered water damage, broken windows and mess poured over surfaces, with damage amounting to about £2,000.

Dozens of people immediately offered their services to help clean the place up and the building was in a presentable state for Sunday service.

But when Mr Woods, 49, arrived at the church on Monday, he discovered the vandals had been back and wreaked a trail of destruction even worse than before.

More fire extinguishers had been let off causing extensive water damage, a guitar, drums, computer and projector used by youngsters and community groups had been smashed up and ceiling tiles and lights were broken.

Vases had been shattered and the flowers strewn all over and bleach and other cleaning fluids had been poured onto the floor.

A games room and Mr Woods' office had also been trashed. Damage was put at about £2,500.

Mr Woods said: "We have a lot of links with the local community and have no idea who it was."

Youngsters and church users came together again for a clean-up operation.

Mr Woods said: "Young people often get blamed for this sort of thing but in this case they have volunteered time and really helped."

Despite the efforts, a regular toddler group and youth meeting are likely to be cancelled this week due to bleach on the floor.

A prayer session was held last night to "make a positive statement that the church will continue regardless" and to pray for whoever had carried out the attacks.

Adur District Police Commander Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe said she was particularly upset about the attacks as she had been trying to secure more facilities for young people.

An exclusion zone banning anyone under 16 from being in Lancing in groups of more than two had been in place between April and October last year, but crime and disorder had reduced dramatically since then so the order was not reinstated.

Anybody with any information should contact Detective Inspector Jacqui White on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.