The provocative sexuality of an ancient pagan symbol finally proved too much for one disgruntled visitor to a small church in rural Sussex.

1,000 years of history were destroyed when someone took a hammer to the lewd pagan carving in Buncton Church near Wiston, smashing it to smithereens.

The vandal's actions have horrified archaeologists who say it was the only example of a rare sheela-na-gig carving in Sussex. The overtly erotic pagan symbols have been described as medieval morality figures and are believed to have once served as warnings against lust.

Yet parishioners in the small rural hamlet are divided over the fate of the controversial figure, which was carved into an archway high on a wall close to the altar.

While some mourn the loss of a part of their history, others are shedding few tears at the disappearance of the etching.

One of the chapel's churchwardens said: "He has been there for 800 years and possibly as long as 1,100 and there's only about 30 in the whole country. We called it a "he", even though it's a "she". Everyone is very upset - it's part of our heritage.

"Someone has very carefully hacked it to pieces with a hammer and chisel .

"We discovered the bits all over the floor. Absolutely nothing else in the church had been touched.

"I really don't know why someone would do this. We reckon it's a crank, certainly it's someone mindless.

"Of course it is a pagan symbol and it could have offended many people but this wilful destruction is a very wicked thing to do."

Another parishioner said the vandalism was the subject of much comment in the village, adding: "People here are quite upset. It's history, isn't it."

But not everyone will miss the carving.

Parishioner William Trelick said: "It's not to condone this person's actions because whoever has done it has done something that is wrong. However it is not something I'll miss because, after all, it's a pagan symbol in what is a Christian building.

"It's a sensitive thing but I think a lot of people simply see it as a historical thing that has now disappeared."

The vandalism has been reported to the police who are treating it as criminal damage.

Experts may be called in to see if anything can be done to restore the carving, although it appears beyond repair.

The meaning of the carving has long been a subject for debate but it is most commonly suggested to have been a phallic or fertility symbol.

Expert Dr Matthew Pope, of the Institute of Archaeology UCL, said although not uncommon in Ireland, Wales and Western England, Sheelas were rare in the South East.

The example in Buncton had been the only one in Sussex.

Dr Pope said: "A sheela-na-gig is a pagan symbol, pre-dating Christianity, which traditionally depicts old women grinning and exposing their genitalia.

"They are often quite grotesque carvings, although this one in Buncton was not an extreme example."

Experts who previously studied the carving noticed scratches around the genital area, indicating it may have been "carefully defaced" in the past as opposed to having been rubbed for good luck or fertility. They say it may well have been more exhibitionist before falling victim to some kind of "puritanical enhancement".

The isolated Norman church, which dates back to between 1150 and 1180AD, is shielded from the road by trees.

Said to have been built by monks from nearby Beeding, possibly as a preaching station, by the 19th Century it was used just six times a year, with an average congregation of about 100.

In 1906 it was restored by a local builder and services are now held in the old stone building once a month.

The sheela was situated under a ledge on the left side of the chancel arch and, unusually it lay on its side.