Vandals have set fire to the altar at Exeter Cathedral in the latest of series of attacks at the 14th Century building over the last week.

The vandals also kicked in windows and defaced the walls, causing damage estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

Skateboarders have also damaged the steps in front of the cathedral.

On Wednesday morning a statue in Cathedral Close was discovered badly damaged.

The oak altar piece was badly charred

An assistant verger put out the fire in the Lady Chapel but the oak altar piece was badly charred and a valuable altar cloth was virtually destroyed.

The Dean, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said he has no idea what had started the unprecedented level of vandalism.

"It's a school half-term, it's near halloween and it just may be one of those times when suddenly there's a lot of it about."

Martin Sowman, the cathedral's administrator, said :"We feel that we are being targeted by people who are out to villify people within the cathedral and otherwise behave in an offensive way on the cathedral green itself."

Police are examining CCTV footage.