AN appeal to raise funds to repair damage caused to a local rural former church building by illegal partygoers on New Year's Eve has more than quadrupled its target in just two days.

Meanwhile video footage has emerged of partygoers who were breaching Covid-19 rules trying to block the entrance as police attempted to enter the building.

The illegal event, one of a number across south Essex, took place at All Saints Church, East Horndon, a redundant Anglican church close to the Thurrock border which is a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.

The ravers forced entry into the church and set up sound and lighting equipment and launched a party that carried on until police arrived and broke it up. Organisers of the event were issued instant fines and the equipment was confiscated.

In the hours after the event the Friends of the much loved Tudor church began a clean up and appealed for funds to help repair the damage.

A statement from the Friends says: "The locks will need to be replaced as it seems an illegal copy was taken of the keys, a window was broken and used for an air extraction system, the walls have been damaged when blacking out the windows, and the electrics have been tampered with to power their equipment.

"We are only a small group of volunteers who look after this beloved building and rely on donations to pay for the repairs that are required to the window, the door lock, the electrics and a massive deep clean operation.

"In non Covid times the church is opened up for events throughout the year, such as open days and plays, and we hope to be able to get the church back in a presentable order this year so we can welcome people in again once we are allowed."

A Just Giving page was set up with a target of £2,000 and as of noon today (Saturday, 2 January) stands at more than £8,000. If you wish to donate it can be found via this link.