YOUNG people gathered to pay their respects in Farnworth Cemetery for grieving families left devastated by an act of wanton vandalism.

They laid flowers on the graves which were desecrated last month in a wrecking spree by a gang of vandals.

Up to 80 people, mostly teenagers and children, joined the families in what Reverend Phil Kearse, minister of Farnworths Trinity Methodist Church, described as a "gentle and caring" service of remembrance following the restoration of the graves.

Vandals pushed over 60 gravestones, desecrated children's graves and scattered ornaments around the churchyard.

Members of Zac's Youth Bar organised last nights service.

A two-minute silence was held and each member of the congregation was invited to lay flowers on those graves desecrated by the yobs.

The idea for the service came from a group of young people who go to the after-school club at Zac's Bat in Market Street.

Mr Kearse said the service helped to heal the wounds and had given the people of Farnworth renewed faith in young people.

He said: "We felt that the families affected were starting to heal from what had happened because they felt supported by the community and especially by youth."

The minister said it was easy to tar all teenagers with the same brush, but that the young people who organised the service really wanted to help heal their community.

"Even those who did not have family in the cemetery were greatly moved by both the grieving and the healing that was going on. It was a gentle and caring service," he said.

The congregation even prayed for the "broken people" who carried out the vandalism in the hope that they too would be healed.

Mr Kearse said: "They are broken people that lash out. They are not sure what they are doing, they just do it."

Around 15 boys and girls aged 11 to 14 decided to organise the service after being left shocked by the vandalism.

The youngsters performed short readings and songs at the service, led by Farnworth Salvation Army, on the themes of anger, bewilderment, healing and peace.

They sang Abide with Me and What A Friend We Have In Jesus.

Last month, police arrested three 15-year-old boys on suspicion of criminal damage following the cemetery attack. They were bailed until later in the summer.

Officers are analysing forensic evidence and are still appealing for information.