A five-year-old boy is to be reported to the children's panel after �30,000 of damage was caused to a church in Argyll.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and two eight-year-old boys, are alleged to have caused widespread damage at the Free Church in Tarbert.

Six leaded windows at the church were smashed. Chairs, tables and carpets were also extensively damaged.

The interior of the church was left littered with glass and broken pieces of wood after the incident on Sunday afternoon.

Minister 'shocked'

The damage was so bad that the regular Sunday evening service was held in a side room in case churchgoers were injured.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman confirmed a report was being prepared for the children's panel concerning three boys.

The church minister, Reverend Angus Howat, said the parish was shocked and saddened by the attack.

"It's a sign of the times. There was a lot of damage done and people are quite upset about it," he added.

"We are having a meeting of the finance committee to see what to do, but my information is that it is insured."