A CHURCH in Westhoughton suffering from vandalism has received a £1,000 boost from the town council.

The Bethel United Reformed Church on Leigh Road has been targeted in the past couple of years by vandals systematically smashing its windows.

But now, in a bid to fight back against the stone-throwing yobs, Westhoughton town council has given the money to help purchase reinforced panes of glass.

Labour council leader Cllr Linda Thomas said: "The church has been suffering tremendous vandalism with windows being broken.

"The Bethel is not just a church, but a community facility. It has its drop-in centre and runs a variety of activities, including amateur dramatics. It makes a massive contribution to the town and we have given the £1,000 to help it combat vandalism. "It is very sad that it is vandalised because it does help a lot of people, and it is unfair to target it in this way."

The Rev Jim Hollyman said: "We are trying to cope with the situation as positively as possible. We are working with other churches in the area and the town council to support the drop-in centre.

"I am extremely grateful to the council for its support. We do not want the place looking disused and dilapidated and consider ourselves very much a community building."

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