AN HISTORIC organ built more than 130 years ago has been vandalised and could cost up to £10,000 to repair.

The organ at St Mary's and St Michael's Church in New Road, Mistley was built by Rev Hayne for the music room at Eton when he was succentor there.

He later became rector of Mistley and Bradfield.

He organ was said to have been the largest in the world and required 10 of the largest trucks the railway could find to move it from Eton to Bradfield - from it the present organs at Bradfield and Mistley were built.

But on Friday, August 3, it was found damaged with some of the small pipes broken inside.

Rev John Brien, associate Minister at the church, said initially they thought there had been a burglary overnight.

He said:"The man who unlocks the church was aware things had been disturbed, the loo had been used and doors were open that should not have been but we couldn't see anything amiss at that point.

"It was later in the day that it was noticed.

"Our organist came and had a look - there was damage to some of the pipes.

"There are ranks and ranks of pipes, some are tiny and give the high notes and some are 10ft long for the low notes.

"The small pipes have been damaged."

He added: “It is very sad that this damage has been caused.

"Whether this was an innocent - if very foolish - adventure which went wrong, or was a deliberate and malicious act, parts of the organ will be out of action for some time and will be very costly to repair.”

The church uses the organ most Sundays for services but hopes to still be able to use it for music not requiring those sounds.

Because of the age of the organ, which is older than the church, repairing the damage is expected to cost up to £10,000.