GANGS have been blamed for desecrating a church and its grounds, including a memorial ground where people's ashes are scattered.

For more than two months groups of up to 30 youths gathered at Cuerden Church School, next to Bamber Bridge Methodist Church, Station Road.

Mike Bertram, property steward at the site, claims he has found chip papers and empty bottles littered around the site, and has even had to bleach one of the church entrances where the groups urinate.

But it is the trampling of the memorial garden by children playing football which, he says, has completely shocked him.

He said: "There's always rubbish near the benches and I'm taking one out because of it, it's terrible that the church door is used as a toilet.

"But to trample on the garden where people visit to remember their loved ones is disgraceful.

"It shows a complete lack of respect."

Police cleared a gang away from the site on Tuesday night and, Mr Bertram claims, their behaviour is driving grievers away.

He said: "There are people who used to come regularly and I just don't see them any more."

The empty school building is still used by Brownie and Guide groups and the church's youth group on Friday nights.

Ian Shepherd, youth leader, said: "I just don't know what parents are thinking. Do they know what their children are doing? It shows a complete disregard for other people's feelings."

PC Graeme Gardner, community beat manager for Bamber Bridge, said: "We do know the site's a problem and we do visit it regularly but it will now be put on as a hot spot on the patrol list so it's checked regularly."