“I have been amazed and humbled by what I have seen as I have gone about the poorest parts of Bristol, which have been hardest hit in these savage raids of the last few weeks.”

The Bishop of Bristol spoke of the devastation caused to the city during the blitz on Bristol when he preached at St Paul’s Church, Chippenham, this week.

He mentioned that most churches in Bristol had been in some way damaged and 13 completely destroyed, and he called for congregations in the diocese to protect their churches.

In the February edition of the Diocesan Gazette, the Bishop reminded church officers to remove all articles of value or historic interest and to arrange for someone to be on duty especially during alert periods.

Following Sunday’s evening service at Sanford Street Congregational Church the congregation remained behind to discuss the fire precautions taken by Swindon churches.

A circular letter from the local authority had been received by ministers and officials of the different churches urging them to form fire party squads and to take other necessary precautions.

However many members explained that they were already in the ARP service and included in neighbourhood rotas.

“Furthermore, it was pointed out that in the absence of long and easily adjustable ladders for dealing with fire bombs that might become lodged in the roofs, no church property could be effectively safe guarded,” reported the Advertiser. “Eventually it was decided to write to the Town Clerk asking for advice as to the precise manner to protect their church against incendiary fire risk.”