CHURCHGOERS in a sleepy village have been left shattered by persistent yobs who have managed to destroy special vandal proof glass.

Fed up by the attacks on St Helen's Church, Hollinfare, members of the congregation decided to shell out more than £5,000 for expensive "bullet proof" glass.

The glazier who fixed it over the church's leaded windows just two weeks ago joked that it would take a sledgehammer to break through them. Yet on Sunday morning worshippers turned up to find that the vandals had struck again.

The vicar of Glazebrook and Hollinfare, The Reverend Bernard Clark, said: "The church has been the target for several attacks recently, particularly on the north side.

"The leaded windows have just been repaired again, so we decided to spend some money having them covered with the special glass."

He said that churchgoers could not believe it when they saw the vandals had struck again. The attack had showered the inside of the church with glass, and the font had to be cleared of shards before a christening could take place.

"We are going to get it repaired, we have to," added Mr Clark. "That is the only way to deal with vandals - by not giving in."

He said that he did not believe that the vandals were from the village.

"I have been here for five years and do not think this is the work of village children. It seems to be people coming in from out of the area at the weekend."

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