A VILLAGE church could be forced to close after coming under attack from vandals.

The thugs ripped off drainpipes on the side of Holy Trinity Church, in Elvington, and smashed them through four stained glass windows.

Up to £6,000 is now being spent on securing the windows with metal guards.

But in a letter to the village magazine, the assistant curate of Holy Trinity, the Rev Chris Parkin, said the work on the windows had used up the funds available for repairs to the church.

This meant it could be forced to close if building inspectors found repairs were needed, during its five-yearly health and safety building inspection, which is coming up soon.

"If this inspection shows there is immediate work to be carried out on the church and if we do not have the money in our funds for this work to be undertaken, then the church authorities will close the church until the work is completed," Mr Parkin's letter says.

The clergyman said he had also found evidence in the churchyard of drinking and drug-taking.

"We don't know who it is or what age group they are," he said.

Meanwhile, villagers have launched a petition to protest against the parish council's decision to close the local bus shelter because of repeated vandal attacks.

Tom and Sally Fitzpatrick, who run Elvington Stores, said the village must not give into vandals by closing the shelter.

"The whole village is up in arms," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"The parish council have made this decision on their own back and I think it creates a really bad image of the village. What will we board up next, the shop and church?"

Mr Fitzpatrick said closing off the shelter would devalue properties in Elvington.

Local youths, who use the shelter to hang out, are being blamed for the vandalism.

Villager Peter Moulton, who lives opposite the shelter, asked the council to take action after vandals attacked his car, causing damage estimated at £950.

"The shelter is like a clubhouse and public toilet - it's a nuisance," he said.

"We feel intimidated sitting in our own front room."

No one from the parish council was available for comment.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, May 05, 2005