Yobs have attacked a community learning centre, which is used by Muslim women, in the holy week of Ramadan.

A scene of devastation greeted manager Hanif Alli when he opened Hibbert Street Community Centre in Halliwell.

Computers had been smashed and furniture damaged after the vandals forced their way through a side door.

Mr Alli said the community was still reeling over the attack, which he believes was carried out by a group of Muslim youths.

He said: "When I walked in it was just complete carnage. All the computers had been smashed up and the centre had been totally trashed.

"It's just mindless young thugs who have done it and they have done it in the holy week of Ramadan which makes it worse. Everybody in the community is disgusted that it has happened."

The University of Bolton, Bolton College and Sure Start all run courses from the centre, as many Muslim women find it easier to get to than the town centre campuses.

Mr Alli said: "I am ashamed to say it, because I am Muslim myself, but it's a minority of local Muslim youths that have done this.

"The majority of young people around here come from good families and have an understanding of Ramadan. I have never seen anything like this.

"Local Muslim women feel they have been targeted. It shows total disrespect for the women around here."

Aszal Rasul, president of the Madina Mosque in St George's Road, said: "This minority of youths are a disgrace to their parents, a disgrace to the Muslim community they come from and a disgrace to themselves.

"I have never seen anything like this in the holy month of Ramadan. I worry about the faith of these individuals."

Ghulam Ashraf, chairman of community group the Thinkers Forum, said: "Everyone has condemed what this minority of idiots has done. But the community has come together and will work together it put it right."

Mr Alli said members of the centre - part of the Ethnic Minority Policy Advisory Group which works with the police to cut crime - would look to pursue an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against the the offenders.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said they were investigating the incident.