A CHURCH that was built thanks to donations from the people of Blackburn has been badly damaged in an arson attack.

Campaigners have spoken of their anger after the church in northern India was torched by a mob enraged at threats to burn the Koran in America.

Worshippers at St Paul’s Methodist Church in Blackburn said they have been left horrified by reports from the country at the destruction of the site.

Thousands of pounds were raised 15 years ago to build the Christian place of worship in the town of Malerkotla after Raj Bilas, who lives in Pleckgate, launched a campaign.

Mr Bilas, who was born in Malerkotla, said he has been left heartbroken by the damage.

He said: “There were rumours that the Koran burning in Florida had happened.

“There was a mob that got together and they took their anger out on the church.

"It just got completely out of control. It is so upsetting what has happened.

"The town is mainly Muslim and Christian and both religions have always got on well. There has never been tensions."

The fire has been reported extensively in the Indian press.

Peter Celestine, bishop of Jammu-Srinagar, told AsiaNews: “The church fire was fuelled by both rumours of an alleged burning of the Koran and the political situation.”

The nearby Christian Society Mission School was also set on fire during the unrest on Sunday night.

A curfew has been put in place in the town to quell the unrest.