CCTV cameras and security lighting have been rigged up at a Darwen church in a bid to deter troublemakers and vandals.

St James Church in Winterton Road is the second church in Darwen to take extreme measures to keep trespassers out. St Peter's in nearby Church Bank Street became the first in Lancashire to install CCTV in September.

At the time, the Rev Kevin Arkell, of St Peter's, said the church had suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage as a result of vandalism and break-ins.

The Rev John Faraday said St James had been hit by a similar spate of attacks by troublemakers.

He said: "The whole thing has been up and running for a month now and is proving very successful."

Mr Faraday, who has been vicar at the church for 13 years, added: "We had lots of problems before but now we are very happy with the scheme - it is something we needed.

"The cost has come out of church funds but we are thinking of asking the diocese for some help with the cost.

"Although we have had a few problems since, we are able to find out exactly who is responsible and take necessary action."

Sgt Andrea Bradbury, of Darwen police, said: "In general terms, without doubt churches and schools have become the target for damage and juvenile nuisance and anything pro-active such as this to secure property is very useful to us."

She said such attacks were a shameful indictment of society.

Sgt Bradbury said that nearby St James School had been the subject of a break-in before Christmas and a youth had been arrested for the offence.