The vicar of a Chiswick church has pledged to keep it open despite a five-month campaign of vandalism that saw their alter defaced on Halloween.

The most recent attack on St Michael & All Angels, in Bedford Park, came on October 31 when a man snuck into the empty church and scribbled graffiti over the alter.

But their vicar Kevin Morris said the shocking crime was just the most recent in a series stretching back to June this year.

He said: "St Michael's has been subject to a number of acts of vandalism recently - the stained glass windows were broken and an attempt was made to write all over the altar."

Last month a tablecloth was also set alight at the beautiful church, which was designed in the 1870s by influential Victorian architect Norman Shaw and provided the setting for the 1989 comedy Nuns on the Run, with Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane.

Father Morris, said: "We are deeply saddened by such acts of aggression but are committed to keeping the church open for the benefit of the community. At the moment, we are selling Charity Christmas cards so at least the church can still be kept open and has people watching over it."

Hounslow police are now investigating whether an individual or group are responsible for the latest incident, which took place between 2pm and 4pm, on October 31, at the church in Priory Avenue.

Inspector Manpreet Bains, of Hounslow Police, said: "This was a despicable act. I would appeal to anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Hounslow Police or Crimestoppers."

Police would now like to speak to a man, 6ft tall and aged about 20, wearing a Blue hooded top and Blue jeans who was seen in the area at the time of the vandalism.

Anyone with information about any of these crimes should call Hounslow CID on 020 8247 6160 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.