Historic Victorian pews were ripped out of a 14th century church to make way for a children's area.

The seating, designed by prominent Victorian architect George Street, was illegally removed from Our Lady of Bloxham in 2011 to make way for a display and welcome area and a part of the church where children could play.

Christopher Rogers, Deputy Chancellor of the diocese of Oxford, called the decision "highly unfortunate, to put it mildly".

Seven of the church's pews were taken out without permission seven years ago, causing harm to the church's interior, Mr Rogers said.

In a consistory court judgment the Chancellor said the Grade I listed church, which has a 14th century tower and spire and parts of which date back to the 12th century, had been described by prominent art historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as "one of grandest churches in the country".

He said the current vicar and leadership team was not in charge when the decision was taken and added that he had "the greatest sympathy in having to deal with the mess left by their predecessors".

The Victorian Society told the court that "it is regrettable that the pews appear to have been stored in such a way as has led to their further deterioration", though the Chancellor said it was "not clear" that their poor condition was due to how they had been stored.