ONE of Bicester's oldest churches has been restored to its former glory after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The Victorian painted windows which stood proudly at the top of St Edburg's Church were smashed to pieces over the summer when vandals clambered up scaffolding.

But after more than six months of hard work and intricate skill the windows have been professional restored and refitted, to the sum of £11,000.

St Edburg's churchwarden, Matthew Clements, said: "The entire congregation are delighted to see the window complete again.

"Where possible the old glass has been re-used and it is hard to tell the difference between the old and the new glass.

"The entire job is of an outstanding quality and I congratulate the skilled craftsmen and women who achieved this result."

Parishioners were horrified to discover the vandalism in June, which saw four separate panels of leaded glass damaged with one suffering 50 per cent damage, leaving the pieces scattered throughout the church.

Criminals appeared to have clambered 20ft up scaffolding at the place of worship in Church Street before inflicting the damage, including kicking at the protective mesh across the windows.

The panels have been repaired by Chapel Studio of Kings Langley, which is one of the few companies in the country with the ability to re-paint the glass to replicate the original.

Scaffolding was erected on Monday, January 8, seven metres high both inside and outside, and was removed the following Friday after completion.

The repaired windows are now protected by a stainless steel grille.

Mr Clements added: "It is a shame the police were unable to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.

"No one who has seen the damage can understand why someone would do such a thing."

Thames Valley Police is still investigating the incident and parishioners at St Edburg's Church are expecting to cover the costs through insurance, but will still have to pay the £500 excess.

St Edburg's Church dates back more than 900 years and the existing building is the only Grade 1 listed structure in Bicester.