A PRIEST who was punched in the face by drunken yobs as he tried to protect his church is attempting to improve security.

Father Anthony Barrett hopes a two- -metre fence around Sacred Heart and St Edward's RC Church, Blackburn Road, Darwen, may end the recent violent incidents.

Two months ago, he was punched when he confronted two drunken men who were kicking and throwing bottles at a church door.

A spokesman for the Salford Diocese, which covers Roman Catholic churches in Blackburn and Darwen, said the attack was an "unfortunate sign of the times" and police said it was "beyond belief." And last September a petrol bomb was thrown through a window into the sacristy, the place where Father Barrett prepares for Mass.

The fire caused £10,000 worth of damage and left the annexe in ruins.

These incidents were the latest in a series of vandal attacks on churches in East Lancashire.

Father Barrett said all windows in the church had been covered with Perspex to stop the attacks, but to no avail.

He said it was worrying that people were deliberately targeting the church.

"We have applied for planning permission for the fence which should hopefully make the area a bit tidier and a bit more secure."

Permission for the fence is due to be discussed at a planning committee meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council on May 8.