A suspected arson attack on a 12th Century church destroyed a vestry and a 19th Century organ.

Fire crews were called to Wilmington Church shortly before 4pm yesterday after nearby residents noticed smoke pouring from the roof.

They managed to stop the blaze spreading to the main part of the church but the vestry was completely ruined, as was the organ next to it.

Repairs and a storage room extension costing £60,000 had only recently been completed at the church in Wilmington Street, Wilmington.

Churchwarden John Marshall said: "It's very upsetting to see this happen, particularly as we've only just spent a lot of money on the church.

"Services will be disrupted for at least several weeks."

Firefighters were still at the scene last night, damping down parts of the church still considered dangerous. They were removing tiles from the roof to put out hotspots which were still burning.

Sub-officer Kevin Sharpe, of Eastbourne fire station, said: "The fire had really taken hold when we arrived. There's a lot of smoke and water damage."

Police were also at the scene and were treating the fire as suspicious.

They are appealing for witnesses, particularly three middle-aged American people seen inside a silver people carrier.