DOORS TO a village church have been locked for what is believed to be the first time in 1,000 years amid claims the area it is in is under siege from vandals.

St Agatha’s Church in Llanymynech, between Oswestry and Welshpool, has been targeted by yobs who have damaged an old tombstone and broken windows.

The issue has become serious and will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.

Church warden Russell Robinson, said: “A tombstone was broken about a week ago. The top stone was already broken but part of it has been removed and smashed completely and little bits were thrown through the windows.

“The tomb stone has been there a long, long time. It would cost thousands of pounds to replace it and we can’t afford to.

Problems

“We have to keep the church locked because property is being stolen from within the church.

“We don’t like locking it. This church has never been locked until recently and it has been here 1,000 years.

“We are having a lot of problems with vandalism in the village at the moment.”

The village hall’s secretary Carol Jones said she is looking to put vandal-proof material on the hall’s roof.

“We are having problems with the local vandals and quite a lot of youngsters get up on the roof and are causing problems and damaging the tiles,” she said.

Chairman of Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council, Dilys Gaskill, said the problem of anti-social behaviour has been put on the agenda for their next council meeting.

“Llanymynech has never been like that before. Sometimes we get anti-social behaviour from a small group but this has been a bolt out of the blue and it concerns people.”

She is urging people to report any antisocial behaviour to the police.

Richard Ewels from West Mercia Police said: “Anyone witnessing acts of criminal damage or has information about those responsible should contact police on 0300 333 3000 or the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.”

The parish council meeting will be held on October 28 at Bryn Offa School in Pant from 7.15pm.

By Chrissy Symmons