A CHURCH is celebrating a turnaround in fortunes after successfully uniting the community to support it.

St Margaret's, in Brotton, east Cleveland, was plagued by vandalism when the Reverend Bruce Harrison took over as rector 18 months ago.

New floodlights were constantly targeted by vandals, resulting in the church being forced to spend £2,000 on security.

It then faced a £4,000 repair bill when windows were smashed, and signs put up to deter owners from allowing their dogs to foul the grounds were ripped up and destroyed.

Then, last year, Mr Harrison started a project to raise £6,500 for the church's first stained glass window.

The community united behind the appeal, and the millennium window has been unveiled by the Bishop of Whitby, the Right Reverend Robert Ladd.

Earlier this year, Mr Harrison started a project to restore the church hall, in the former St Margaret's School building, in Saltburn Road.

He sought the help of youngsters on probation to completely redecorate, adding store cupboards for the hall's many users. He claims the project has made them see the church in a new light.

"We have built up a very good relationship with them, and they are hoping to come back to do more work with us," he said.

"I believe the community is beginning to work together to regain its community spirit."

To build on the progress, Mr Harrison plans to open the centre to even more groups.

He said: "It's already used by the Brownies, slimming clubs, keep fit people, mother and toddler groups, and others.

"Now Redcar and Cleveland council is starting computer programmes, and we are starting a luncheon group on July 6. We are also hoping to establish summer activities for youngsters, and we plan to start a youth club."

Mr Harrison said the revamped hall was a symbol of the church's progress in recent months.

He said: "I would say it's 500 per cent better, and we've had a very positive reaction from its users. Now we are concentrating on finding out what young people want.