A GANG of youths have threatened to attack a Kidderminster clergyman and set his church on fire.

Rev Canon Harold Goddard was holding an evening drop-in session at Kidderminster's St John's Church, when the gang of 10 youngsters, wearing hoodies, came into the church and started shouting.

When he asked them to leave, they threw a concrete block against the wall and threatened him.

"This is just one of many incidents at the church over the last 18 months," Mr Goddard said.

He added: "I was at the church one evening with a lady who was discussing her wedding.

"A gang of 10 people came bursting in. When I asked them to leave they said we're going to get you' and threatened to return and burn the church down. They didn't like that I stood up to them.

"The lady was frightened and I had to escort her to her car.

"I have now had to cancel the drop-in sessions and have to see people by appointments only."

Six strimmers were also stolen from the churchyard shed on three occasions and windows have been broken.

The 65-year-old added: "We keep mowers and strimmers in the shed. In the first incident, the lock was broken and two strimmers were stolen. The second time, the roof was taken off and the two strimmers which we had replaced were taken.

"On the third occasion, they hammered through the wall of the shed and took the strimmers again."

"There have always been youngsters hanging around in the churchyard but I have no problem with them if they don't cause damage.

"I think it's a very sad state of affairs. We now have to watch out for our elderly congregation when they come to the church after dark."