Vandal-hit Llanymynech church to reopen doors

Doors to a village church which were locked for the first time in 1,000 years after a series of vandal attacks could be reopened after CCTV was installed at the historic building.

St Agatha's Church in Llanymynech, between Oswestry and Welshpool, became the target by yobs earlier this year who entered the building before damaging an old tombstone and breaking windows.

As a result, church officials took the decision of locking the doors.

But today it was revealed that a CCTV system had been installed and the doors to the church would be unlocked.

Constable Pete Dale said: "We have had CCTV put up at the church. They have been up there for a few days now. We have got two CCTV cameras put up along the side of the church. It is a big deterrent."

The Reverend Chris Penn said the doors would reopen once current building work was finished.

He said: "We just couldn't allow the situation to continue. The vandalism experienced is minor but again it is a place that we have a responsibility for."

Vandals have attacked a number of areas in the village, including the village hall and playing fields.

The secretary of the village hall said they were fundraising to put vandal-proof material on the hall's roof to deter the culprits.

Dilys Gaskill, of Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council, said that the church was not the responsibility of the parish but the topic of vandalism would be discussed at the next parish council meeting on Thursday at Bryn Offa School in Pant from 7.15pm.