RESIDENTS reacted furiously on social media after vandals broke a fence and smashed bottles on land near the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel in Padiham.

A walker discovered the mess on Saturday morning when he was in the popular garden area near the River Calder.

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Jordan Taylor said: “Some idiots had smashed the new church gardens, smashing off the new gate, ripping up new willow fences and smashing JagerMaster and Budweiser bottles over the open seating area.

“These gardens are used by churchgoers and the local holiday club.”

Mr Taylor posted on Facebook pictures of the vandalism — and local residents reacted with anger.

Worshippers at the church said they were concerned about the damage. But they said vandalism had not been a persistent problem.

Joanne Turner, another Facebook user, said: “Shocking. (They) should be absolutely ashamed of themselves but (I) doubt they even give it a second thought.

“Ten minutes of vandalism destroyed hours of planning, pride, joy and hard work.”

Aidan Meadows said: “If they do stuff like this after a drink at a young age, God knows what they will be like when they are older.”

Jane Morise said: “(It is) disgusting. That is not called for by anyone.”

Rachel Jarvis said: “Find the culprits and make them clean it up and fix it back the way it was and then make them do other punishments.

“Only way some will learn — if you do the crime expect the repercussions that come along with it.”

Tony Cann, president of the congregation at the chapel, said: “We are naturally concerned about this.

“Although I do not think that we could say we have experienced a lot of vandalism, we recently had a break-in and we think that the people came from the park.”