Angry parishioners have been battling for two years with a mystery vandal.

St Michael's Church, Arlecdon, has seen graffiti scrawled on its property walls and a gate donated by a church-goer in memory of her husband.

The words 'toilet' and 'WC' have been painted on, and near, the church's £30,000 toilet which was built following extensive fundraising by the parish.

However, no one has been able to catch the vandal who, the parishioners believe, carries out the attacks on the property at night.  

Martha Jackson, 79, who is the churchwarden and one of the church's main fundraisers, has "on and off'' over last two years, scrubbed away the paint, the most recent vandalism being last week.      

"I have found it all very distressing and I haven't been able to sleep,'' she said. "I'm not sure what they are going to do next.

"The toilets are open through the day, from 10am-4pm, and are also used by tourists and C2C cyclists. There is no need for anyone to paint signs.

"We are angry and sad that someone is being so disrespectful to church property. The vandal must do it at night, and then we have to wash it off.'' 

Martha, who has been a church warden for 18 years, will retired from the role on May 12. 

"I would like to think that before I leave all this silliness ends,'' Martha added. "I don't want someone else to have to deal with it. It has all been very upsetting.''

Parishioners are currently aiming to raise £100,000 for renovations to the church.    

Upcoming fundraising events at St Michael's include Silloth Church Choir on June 24, a ukulele band on July 15 and organist Paul Gregson on August 26.