This is the devastation caused by a fire which ripped through a medieval East Sussex church and wrecked the vestry and organ.

A clear-up operation is today still underway at 12th Century Wilmington Church after the blaze on Sunday afternoon.

An arsonist is thought to have started the fire shortly before 4pm. Firefighters stopped the flames spreading to the main part of church.

Crews from Eastbourne and Hailsham brought the fire under control shortly after 5pm but later returned to the scene to damp down parts of the church still considered dangerous.

A brigade spokeswoman said: "There was considerable smoke damage to the whole church."

Sub Officer Kevin Sharpe, of Eastbourne fire station, said: "The fire had really taken hold when we arrived. There's a lot of smoke and water damage."

Repairs and a storage room extension costing £60,000 have only recently been completed at the church in Wilmington Street.

Churchwarden John Marshall said: "It's very upsetting to see this happen, particularly as we've only just spent a lot of money on the church. Services will be disrupted for at least several weeks."

Police have appealed for witnesses, in particular three middle-aged American people seen inside a silver people carrier.

Anyone with information is asked to call Eastbourne police on 0845 6070999.