A COMMUNITY is "deeply saddened" after vandals ripped down and stole Pride decorations.

Vandals tore down the rainbow flag and bunting outside St Andrew's Church, in Pershore, put up in celebration of Pride.

The bunting was stolen on Friday, July 1 with councillor Dan Boatright saying eyewitnesses saw two men with the bunting after it was ripped from the church.

The flag was stolen on Saturday, July 2 and it is not currently known who may have been involved.

Canon Claire Lording, the vicar of Pershore, said the church is "deeply saddened" by what happened to the decorations.

“We were all deeply saddened by the acts of vandalism that occurred at St Andrew’s Parish Centre over two consecutive nights this weekend when our 50 year anniversary of Pride in London outdoor display was targeted. 

"The rainbow bunting was cut down on Friday evening and then the Pride flag stolen on Saturday evening. 

"Here in the Pershore Benefice, we work hard within our community to be inclusive to all, enabling everyone to feel welcome no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender or sexuality. 

"Our vibrant display of rainbow colours on the front of St Andrew’s was to promote the greatest of God’s gifts - love.

"With all that we have endured these past three years, now more than ever we need to be respectful and tolerant of one another, whatever our differences may be.

"We had hoped that our outside display may be a reminder of that."

READ MORE: Pride flag and rainbow bunting stolen from St Andrew's Church in Pershore

Cllr Boatright, county councillor for Pershore, said the vandalism of the Pride decorations would have "such an impact" on the LGBTQ community in the area.

He said: "This was directly in the public eye, and even if it was not directly anti-LGBTQ+, it will still have such an impact on the community.

"It could well have just been mindless vandalism but many people still keep their sexuality quiet due to archaic thoughts.

"We are a small and tolerant community in Pershore so behaviour like this has no place."

St Andrews Church hosts a wide variety of activities for the Pershore community, with parts of the building dating back to 1170.