Suffolk medieval church wall painting vandalised

Video report by ITV News Anglia's Liz Summers

One of the country's most important religious wall paintings has been vandalised inside a church near Lavenham in Suffolk.

The 13th century image, behind the altar at St Mary's church in Brent Eleigh, was found badly scratched on Maundy Thursday. The face of the Virgin Mary depicted in the painting has been gouged.

It's not yet know who's responsible but they're likely to have caused irreparable damage to the rare piece of artwork.

The images, only discovered in 1961 during restoration work, attract visitors from all over the world.

The church is now calling on art experts to assess the extent of the damage.

Here's Dr John Dunn Historian & writer...