POLICE investigating a suspected arson attack at a historic chapel are appealing for information about two vehicles seen in the area around the time of the incident.

A fire was reported in a storage room adjoining the War Memorial Chapel in a remote area at Oldstead, near Helmsley at about 9pm on Sunday, June 13.

The chapel was built from the ruins of a hillside farm by renowned sculptor John Bunting in 1957, to serve as a memorial chapel for those killed in the Second World War.

The fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately, destroyed the storage room adjoining the chapel, as well as a number of wooden statues.

Mr Bunting’s son, Bernard, who drove up from London to assess the damage, said: “Why would anyone carry out such a meaningless and mindless attack?

“We are thankful that the chapel itself is undamaged, but very sad at the loss of some of his works in wood that were stored in the building.”

Police are investigating two vehicles seen by witnesses in the area around the time of the incident – a dark 4×4 vehicle with one female driver, and a small, dark-coloured car with three people in it.

PC Mark Atkinson, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “John Bunting’s War Memorial Chapel is an important and meaningful part of North Yorkshire’s heritage. We’re treating this incident extremely seriously, and I’d urge anyone with information about it, or who knows who is responsible, to come forward to the police.

“If you live near a historically-important site, please be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to the police straight away. We all need to work together to help protect our area’s rich heritage.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for PC Jeremy Walmsley, or email jeremy.walmsley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To remain anonymous, pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210139008.

The chapel is devoted to former Ampleforth pupils Hugh Dormer, Michael Allmand and Michael Fenwick, who all died as young soldiers in the Second World War. All three had had artistic ambitions as poets and writers.

A fourth name was added when former pupil Robert Nairac was killed while serving in Armagh in 1977.

The site, which does not have a road to it, has become a popular spot for walkers who stop to admire the special building which has a public footpath running close by.