A bishop narrowly escaped injury when stonethrowing yobs pelted stained-glass windows during a church service.

Witnesses said a beach pebble just missed the Right Rev Lindsay Urwin, Bishop of Horsham, as horrified dignitaries looked on.

Other clergymen from the Worthing deanery were showered with broken glass as eight or nine stones caused damage to the historic windows of St George's Church, East Worthing, on Saturday afternoon.

More than 350 people, including East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, were in the church to welcome the parish's new vicar, the Rev Brian Penfold.

Mr Penfold, a 53-year-old father of three, was just about to start speaking near the end of the afternoon service when the stone-throwing began.

Members of the congregation rushed outside and cornered three youths, aged ten, 12 and 14, in the church grounds until police arrived.

Mr Loughton said: "It was complete and utter mindless vandalism, and the height of stupidity.

"It was an idiotic thing to do and rather marred what had otherwise been a very happy and enjoyable service."

Mr Penfold has since visited the home of the oldest vandal and received a tearful apology from his mother.

He was also planning to attend Worthing Youth Court today and speak on behalf of the defendant, who has been charged with criminal damage.

Mr Penfold, who moved from St James' Church, Barnet, north London, with his wife Christine, said: "The clergy sitting underneath the windows at the north end of the church covered their heads with their service programmes because splinters of stained glass dating from 1868 were coming down.

"It could have blinded them if they had looked up.

"People by the door had the presence of mind to shoot out very quickly and apprehend the lads, who weren't very bright to be honest.

"I think they thought the building was empty."

He said the bishop, and the headteacher of a school, which one of the boys attended, went outside to talk to the vandals.

Mr Penfold said: "At the 10.30am service on Sunday, the father of the oldest boy came along to the church with his son and said he was terribly sorry.

"He said he couldn't pay the whole bill but would make a contribution, or pay the excess on the insurance claim."

Mr Penfold said his wife, who runs camps in Kent for youngsters, planned to invite the teenager to a gathering this summer.

Tina Favier, Worthing Borough Council's community safety manager, said: "Of the three involved, one has previously had an acceptable behaviour contract.

"We and the police are currently seeking an Asbo against him, and this latest incident will strengthen the case."

Mr Penfold, who feared the damage to the Victorian windows could run into thousands of pounds, took over from the Rev David Marrow, who retired last July.