A VERGER who warned of a worsening security situation at his historic York church has been attacked by an intruder.

David Brown is verger to the Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Lane, off Micklegate.

He is also caretaker at Jacob's Well, the historic building owned by the church.

Mr Brown, 61, says he was "grabbed" in the face and his glasses were smashed in the attack.

He says he is now thinking about resigning.

He said: "I wasn't even supposed to be working because I've just got back from holiday.

"But I said I would go and lock up as a favour and when I was in the church I noticed a guy asleep in there.

"I told him I was locking up and he said where can I go, but did start to leave.

"Then he suddenly turned nasty, calling me an atheist, and suddenly went to hit me.

"I said 'you don't want to do that', the next thing he just grabbed for my face, knocking my glasses off.

"They smashed on the floor, but then a passing police car stopped."

Mr Brown said he was unhappy with the attitude of the two officers after Wednesday's attack.

He claims they told him to "stop getting agitated."

But he added: "I'm not taking things any further, I've had enough. I've just about had enough of working here, you wonder where it will all end.

"I am considering packing the job in and going somewhere else."

Wife Maureen said: "I had been worrying something like this might happen, I am devastated about it.

"David is a verger, not a bouncer, and I think it is time to think about what we are going to do."

In February, two ancient and ornate carved wooden heads were stolen from Jacob's Well.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, April 26, 2002