The Greek Orthodox congregation from the Church of St Neophytos, in Duston, claim they are repeatedly threatened by youths who smash stained-glass windows, abandon burnt-out cars and constantly break into the building.

Arsonists set fire to the former St Crispin's Church, in Kent Road, last year and now committee spokesman George Kyriakides said they could no longer afford to keep it safe.

He said: "We had security cameras fitted about six months ago but they were destroyed almost straight away. It's just impossible to go on like this.

Every single window in the church has been smashed, and because they are small pieces of stained glass which have to be fitted together, they are very expensive to replace.

"I think the windows alone will be £20,000 and we don't have the money.

We might just have to leave."

Since building work began at a new development nearby, churchgoers say they have been constantly blighted by drug users and drinkers breaking into the church cellar to use for shelter, and burglars taking historic artefacts from inside the church.

The church was taken on by the community in 1998 when their own place of worship was closed in Marefair.

One member, Malcolm Rogers, added: "The police are doing what they can, but they cannot just keep someone up there all the time to make sure the kids aren't causing havoc, which they have been recently.

"Anyone who has ever been into an orthodox church knows that it is full of beautiful, ornate paintings and icons, and we need to protect them.

But we cannot afford to keep paying for repairs out of our own pockets."

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "We are aware of a number of incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour at the church.

"The Safer Communities Team now regularly patrols the area in a bid to combat these problems."

Only yesterday afternoon officers were called to the church following reports of youths causing anti-social behaviour in the area.

Officers who attended took the names and addresses of 10 youths at the scene, but no arrests were made as there did not appear to be any further damage caused.

The grade two listed church, which was originally built in the 1880s for patients at St Crispin Hospital, caters for a growing orthodox congregation in Northampton, including new members from Eastern European countries.

It is the only church of its kind in the county, with the next nearest in Peterborough.

To support the church, call Northampton 648109.