A BUNGLED "Friday the thirteenth" arson attack on Atherton's historical Chowbent Chapel proved to be unlucky for those responsible.

A gang of youths are believed to have broken into the chapel cellar last Friday afternoon, attempting to set alight material which was being kept in storage. They then went outside to wait for the blaze to take hold.

But their plans were thwarted when parents collecting their children from the adjacent school noticed smoke coming from the building and alerted the emergency services.

A relieved Rev Peter Hughes praised fire fighters for their swift actions which he felt had saved the old building from certain disaster.

In recent years a dedicated team of chapel-goers have worked to raise funds to restore the Grade Two listed building so that it can be preserved for future generations. Although the arson attempt failed there was some damage to the building which will be a set back to the restoration plans.

However, it was business as usual the next day at the 350-year-old chapel as one couple tied the knot in spite of the faint smell of smoke!

Rev Hughes said: "Our caretaker has worked extremely hard to minimise the affects of the blaze."