VANDALS have caused damage estimated at hundreds of pounds to a Radcliffe church.
They used paint to daub racist messages on the walls of St Thomas and St John Church.
The Rev Chich Hewitt, team rector for the church, discovered the damage and estimates it will cost about £1,000 to have the walls sand-blasted.
"The vandalism all around the church is shameful and disturbing and the racist overtones are sinister," he said.
"We stand against racism in any form and I personally am involved in racism awareness training in the Manchester diocese."
Inspector John Higson, of Radcliffe police said: "The police are keeping an open mind about who was responsible for this damage and we will be stepping up patrols in the area.
"A number of young people have historically gathered in the church grounds in the evenings and I would urge their parents to stop them from doing so."
Anyone with information about the attack which happened between 8.30pm on Monday and 9am on Tuesday should contact PC Simon Walton on 0161 856 8223.
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