Police were today investigating whether a rectory near Selby was being deliberately targeted after another attack left the vicar and his wife shocked and upset.

The hooligans struck under the cover of darkness, throwing light blue gloss paint over one of the outside walls of the rectory at Brayton.

They returned the following afternoon, smashing five panes of glass in the Georgian building before dragging a wheelie bin away from the back door and setting it on fire.

In 1985, the then Rector of Brayton, the Reverend Robert Rogers, had to move out of the rectory for a while after an arson attack left him homeless.

Firefighters found small fires in every downstairs room and extensive damage was caused.

And in the last few years, the parish church and graveyard have been subjected to repeated attacks by vandals and thieves who have torn out floodlighting and stolen expensive York stone coping from the churchyard wall.

A padlocked wrought iron gate has had to be installed across the front porch of St Wilfrid's Church after vandals tore down notices and set fire to them.

The vicar of Brayton, the Rev David Reynolds, said today he was deeply saddened by the latest attack at the weekend.

He said he and his wife, Christine, had been out visiting and returned to find blue paint splashed all over the rectory's rear wall.

On Saturday, they had to telephone the police again after five window panes were put through, and their wheelie bin set on fire in one of the old barns adjacent to the rectory.

Mr Reynolds said: "It was very upsetting. We can't think of any reason for this attack apart from mindless vandalism.

"It's very difficult to understand and very sad that the people responsible haven't better things to do.

"We have now got a firm in repairing the damaged windows. The wall may have to be sandblasted to get the paint off."

PC Carol Langford said inquiries were continuing, and officers were paying extra attention to the area.

She added: "We aren't sure at the moment whether the rectory is being deliberately targeted or if it is wanton vandalism."

Anyone with information should contact Selby police station on 01757 702596.

selby@ycp.co.uk