VANDALS have once again struck at a Radcliffe church.

Wesley Methodist Church on Ainsworth Road is the latest victim of hooligans who broke in through a side door in the early hours of last Friday.

The damage they left in their wake was discovered by a flower arranger who visited the church later that morning.

Senior steward Mrs Jenny Elwood said: "They sprayed paint on the walls and chairs, threw coffee powder all over the floor, and broke into a safe in the minister's vestry, stealing around £40."

The raiders also ripped up floorboards and it is believed they were searching for hidden valuables.

"A lot of the older members of the church were very distressed when they heard about it but we had it all cleaned up by the end of the day," said Mrs Elwood.

"I think we have to educate these young people and help them to understand that the church is there for them." The vandalism at Wesley came just 11 days after an attack on Trinity Baptist Church.

During that incident a Sunday School portable cabin was torched, the kitchen was trashed, bookcases were upturned, and the main worship room was wrecked. Money, equipment and the communion silver were all stolen.

A big effort had to be made to get the church ready for worship on Sunday.

Trinity's pastor, Mr Mike Side, visited the vandalised Wesley Methodist Church on Monday to survey the damage and express his sympathy.

He said: "It saddens me that these people are still at it."

But he also revealed why his faith in humanity has not diminished.

"An 81-year-old man from Tottington who read about the vandalism of our church in the paper sent us a donation of £10. It was very kind of him

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