POLICE say incidents of vandalism at Ledbury Parish Church, including damage to the Victorian organ, may be connected.

And officers are carrying out extra patrols as a result of the attacks.

Church officials are also taking measures to protect the medieval building.

This week, after the latest incident, when intruders climbed the ladder into the organ loft and removed but did not steal several pipes, church officials sought quotes for the hiring of CCTV equipment, - to be installed as soon as possible.

Churchwarden, Lois Pratt blamed the spate of vandalism on "mischief by a few bad apples", and she revealed that the church, the medieval St Michael and All Angels, is now being locked up before dark, by mid-afternoon, because of the attacks.

She said: "This situation is just ruining things for people who just want to come in and sit quietly".

Mrs Pratt said the removed organ pipes had now been "put back in place", and the organist, following an inspection, decided that the dislodged pipes had not been damaged, although the venerable instrument will need re-tuning.

A total of six organ pipes were dislodged by the intruders, and one of them was left lying on the floor of the church.

The discovery of this pipe caused church members to investigate further, in the organ loft, where the other removed pipes were found.

The organ of Ledbury Parish Church has 2500 pipes and 39 stops.

It is often used for concerts and a two-year long restoration project, costing £180,000, was completed in the year 2000.

Police are currently investigating two incidents at the church, both if which took place this week.

A police spokesman said: "At about 9.45am on Monday, January 2 we received a report of an attempted burglary at St Michael and All Angels Church, Ledbury which had occurred between 3pm and 6pm the previous day.

"Offenders had tried to force open a solid inner door but had not been successful."

The police spokesman added: "The following day, Tuesday January January 3, we received a report of damage to the organ and the theft of a fire extinguisher from the church, which is believed to have happened between 9am and 3pm on Monday, January 2.

"Local officers have increased their patrols in the area and are working with church officials to consider security measures at the location."

The police spokesman said that while it could not be confirmed that the incidents are connected, "officers will be considering any potential links between them and looking at any others which have been reported in the vicinity".

The latest incidents are not the first time in recent months that intruders have caused problems at the church.

Last November, intruders left "the church in a mess" when someone, or a group of people, entered the unlocked church, set off a fire extinguisher and covered the church piano in water.

Church candles were also damaged.

Last August, a thief at Ledbury Parish Church chiselled open the metal donations box, for votive candles, and stole approximately £50 in cash.