COMMUNITY-spirited folk have swung into action to deter vandals from targeting a Tottington church.

Members of Bury Round Table, with the help of Hewden Hire of Walmersley Road, have set to work clearing the grounds and graveyard of St John's Church after a spate of vandal attacks.

The Bury Times recently reported how teenage yobs caused £10,000 worth of damage to the graveyard by overturning headstones and smashing marble plaques. In the past obscene graffiti and a swastika have been daubed on the church.

Steve Simpson, vice-chairman of Bury Round Table, said: "We decided to offer our help to the church after reading about the problems in the Bury Times.

"At the same time we are hoping the work will make the church grounds more open by cutting away the long grass, which in some places is four feet high. This, we hope, will deter vandals from congregating there."

Bury Round Table's clean-up work is part of a long-term commitment to community service that first started three years ago.

"Since we started work on the church we have taken away hiding places for the teenagers in front and around the church. We are hoping by the time we have finished that there will be no where for the vandals to hide," said Mr Simpson.

He added: "We are very grateful to Hewden Hire who loaned us the industrial tools for free to carry out the work. Without their help we would not have been able to clear-up the grounds."