An appeal fund has been set up by the Waltham Abbey Guardian following yesterday's axe attack on the Abbey Church in Waltham Abbey.

Damage estimated at £200,000 was caused when a man launched a "frenzied attack on the historic building shortly after 1.30pm.

Among the areas targeted were the organ, statues and a stained glass window.

A 62-year-old man from Buckhurst Hill suffered serious head and back injuries in an earlier incident in Highbridge Street. Another man suffered a minor head injury and a woman was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

The Abbey Church Appeal Fund was launched this morning, with a £5 donation from a young girl who wrote a letter to the church's rector, Canon Rev Martin Webster expressed her sorrow at what had happened.

Contributions, all of which will be given to the church to help meet the cost of repair work, can be paid into any Nationwide branch quoting account 'Abbey Church Appeal Fund' and account number 1567/703 647 987.

Cheques, payable to Abbey Church Appeal Fund, can also be sent to Guardian Newspapers, 8 Simon Campion Court, High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AU. Receipts will be issued for all donations received.

Guardian editor David Jackman said: "Both the church and the local newspaper have key roles to play in the local community and we hope that the fund will go some way to ensuring that the historic building can be returned to its former glory."