YOUNG people are to hold a service of remembrance at a cemetery that was wrecked by rampaging vandals.

Members of Zac's Youth Bar have organised the service following last month's wrecking spree at Farnworth Cemetery, which left mourning families devastated.

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

The service is the brainchild of a group of young people who go to the after-school club at Zac's.

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

The youngsters will perform short readings and songs will be led by Farnworth Salvation Army.

A two-minute silence will be held, and Rev Phil Kearse from the Trinity Methodist Church will lead the prayers. Families and friends affected by the vandalism have been invited to attend Wednesday's open air service.

Stuart Barnes, director of Zac's Youth Bar, said: "There was a feeling that young people were being branded as no good, and the children wanted to do something positive.

"Some suggested helping with the clean-up operation, but with that already done, this was considered a good alternative.

"It's only a small minority who were involved in the cemetery damage, and it's important that not all children are tarnished with the same brush."

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

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

Posters have been put up in shops around Farnworth to publicise the service, which will take place tomorrow from 6 to 6.45pm.

Among the graves damaged were those belonging to Amicie Nwokeochar, aged three, and two-year-old Jakob Ball.

Amicie was killed in a car accident in 2003, and Jakob died of meningitis earlier this year.

A white cross bearing Jakob's name was thrown into a tree where it was left wedged between branches.

Vandals also dug two feet down into the grave of John Devlin, who died eight years ago, aged 33.