THE Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nichols, has sent a message of sympathy after a Winyates church was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack.

It is believed a wheely bin outside St Gregory's Church, in Winyates Way, was set alight last Wednesday lunchtime.

The fire spread to the entrance hall of the small church and into the roof before fire crews from Redditch and Bromsgrove arrived.

The blaze was put out in about half an hour but the entrance to the church and part of the roof were gutted. Nobody was hurt.

Witnesses can call North East sector police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.