A CHURCH, which has come under fire from stone-throwing vandals for more than five years, may soon be protected by mesh.

In the latest attack, six windows were shattered by stones at Harrogate Road Methodist Church, in Ripon.

Police have regularly been called to the church, and the minister, the Reverend Ken Marshall, has even given chase in a bid to catch the vandals.

The vandalism has been ongoing, and Mr Marshall said it was something the church had come to live with.

"What happens is that one batch of youngsters grows up and the damage stops, and then another group come along and it starts all over again," he said.

Members of the congregation have reacted with anger and frustration at the continuing damage.

Mr Marshall said: "The police have been excellent about this, and keep coming round.

"We chase them occasionally, but they are younger than we are, and they get away. I think it is a good thing I don't catch them."

Mr Marshall said about five youngsters, aged between 12 and 14, were responsible for present attacks.

Problems at the Methodist church follow recent incidents at Ripon Cathedral, where staff are now ordered to carry cameras in a bid to identify stone-throwers and youngsters intimidating worshippers.

There have been cases of cathedral services being disrupted by youngsters.

Mr Marshall said they had not suffered disruption to services, but the problem of damaged windows was becoming so serious that they were considering putting mesh up at some windows.

These were in an area where vandals were largely hidden from view, near a footpath leading to the Holmefield estate.