Priests in tears after people rally for church

Volunteers turn out in force after building was damaged by blaze.

- RAMAZANI MWAMBA

CHURCH bosses say they were brought to 'tears' after the community rallied together to help following a fire at the place of worship.

Emergency services were called to reports of the blaze at St Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Burnage on Thursday morning.

The fire caused damage to a section of the pulpit and a box containing the names of loved ones lost.

Sunday's service was also in jeopardy as it meant that it would have to be held at a local school instead.

Speaking to the M.E.N, Father Luke Bradbury of St Bernard's, on Burnage Lane, said: "It was on Thursday morning that we noticed the smoke. The fire brigade came, forensics to check in case it was a hate crime or an arson attack.