A priest has said it is a mystery why his Co Antrim church was targeted in an arson attack.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the report of criminal damage at the side door of Our Lady and St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the Castle Street area of Ballymoney.

Parish priest Fr Damian McCaughan discovered the fire on Sunday night and put it out.

He said he was alerted when the fire alarm went off shortly before 10pm.

Fr McCaughan said a wooden log covered in a propellant had been laid against the door.

“I gave the log a kick and then I got a bucket of water and threw it over the door to stop it burning,” he said.