A fire which has gutted parts of a Co Antrim church is being treated as arson.

On Sunday evening, 49 firefighters attended the blaze which caused significant damage to the Church of Ireland building and hall in Greenisland.

In a statement, police confirmed they are treating the blaze as arson and are appealing for information.

“The Church was celebrating its 70th anniversary this week, and last night was busy in particular. Thankfully no one was injured, however a significant amount of damage was caused to both buildings,” a PSNI representative said.

Speaking about the fire, Reverend Issy Hawthorne-Steele said: “It’s absolutely devastating, it’s a shock. Most of the people are all in shock.

“Unbelievable that we have had such a weekend of celebration and then to hear that the church is on fire has been unspeakably awful, hard to take in.”