A CALLINGTON vicar has spoken out in defence of young people in his town following damage caused by youths at the parish church.

The Rev Tony Stephens says that ‘youngsters in Callington are a great bunch of people’ and that ‘some will always get up to things they shouldn’t’.

In last week’s Cornish Times, we reported anti-social behaviour in St Mary’s Churchyard.

Youths had climbed up onto a roof and damaged a chimney flue - and stones had been thrown into a carpark, damaging vehicles.

But Mr Stevens is urging residents to remember that the majority of young people are well behaved.

‘We’re concerned about damage to the church, yes,’ he said.

‘But we are also concerned about making young people’s lives better.

‘In any community you are going to get an element of vandalism, and the church would be no different. But it’s not an occurrence which happens day in, day out.

The youngsters in Callington are a great bunch of people. You’re always going to have some who get up to things they shouldn’t. It’s not necessarily done with malicious intent.’

Every Friday evening St Mary’s Church hosts ‘Your Space’ - a joint initiative between the Anglican and Methodist Churches.

The sessions are aimed at teenagers and between 7.30 and 9.30pm, the church doors are open for young people to come in and socialise. Activities such as table tennis, air hockey and pool are provided are there are snacks ad drinks.

The vicar says that ‘a fair few youngsters of all backgrounds’ come along on Fridays.