THE head teacher of a residential school for children with severe learning difficulties has praised the 'understanding' village community after a teenage pupil absconded and ransacked a church causing £10,000-worth of damage.

The people of Edwyn Ralph were left 'dumbfounded' by the outrage, during which a woman churchwarden was threatened with part of an altar rail brandished like a stick.

But the village rector said the majority of residents understood the problems faced by the pupils at nearby Rowden House School and had a forgiving nature.

Action is being taken by staff at the school, including the installation of a gate in the grounds in a bid to prevent future incidents.

During the wrecking spree at St Michael's windows were smashed with rocks and 'materials' inside the church were thrown about.

The Police were called after the youth acted in a threatening manner towards the churchwarden in the lane outside.

School head Heather Hardy said the teenager had gone missing after he was sent to deliver bananas to another classroom. Staff noticed his absence within three or four minutes.

"The school does have a stringent policy that comes into force when a pupil is deemed to be missing," she said.

"Staff will search the grounds for 20 minutes before calling in the police, which is what happened on this occasion."

Police have confirmed that at about the same time that the vandalism at Edwyn Ralph church was being reported, Rowden School called to say a pupil had absconded.

Mrs Hardy added: "The staff met last week and decided the installation of a secure gate would help to act as a deterrent in the future.

"We are not the sort of school to keep our pupils under lock and key, but risk assessments are carried out on each pupil. The lad in question now has one-to-one supervision at all times during the day.

"We have also revisited security measures in the light of this incident. It came like a bolt from the blue as the school has never before experienced anything on this scale."

According to Hereford police press officer Georgie Bates, it was decided no action be taken against the boy following close consultation between the police, the school and Edwyn Ralph rector the Rev Chris Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher remains adamant that the incident, which happened in November last year, has in no way tarnished the relationship between the school and the church.

He said: "We as a community have always had a good relationship with the school and have certainly never experienced something like this before.

"The fact of the matter is that someone has to live in the vicinity of a place such as this and in general the local population does not have a problem. In fact the school is extremely beneficial to these youngsters.

"In relation to this incident, it should be pointed out that there has been a real sense of understanding from the people directly involved and the local community."