A MINISTER fears for the lives of his parishioners following a series of attacks on his church and the grounds.

Reverend William Boyle says a teenage gang high on drugs and drink are terrorising members at Port Glasgow New Parish Church.

Incidents have been escalating over the last six weeks, with yobs urinating on headstones, throwing objects at the windows and hurling sectarian abuse and threats.

The final straw was an attempt to set fire to the building last weekend and the church is now being forced to upgrade its CCTV system at the cost of £3,000.

William said: "I've gone from being annoyed by the behaviour to becoming really fearful for the building and for the safety of people using it.

"Now I want to know when is someone is going to do something about it."

A group of around 10 youths aged between 13 and 16 are behind the trouble and Reb Boyle says they are completely out of control.

Churchgoers and various groups who use the building are being intimidated by them.

William said: "Two weeks ago, I had about 70 people in the main church building for a meeting and Boys' Brigade meeting in the hall and we jumped out our skins when suddenly we had three large bangs one after the other hitting off our windows.

"We challenged them and they left but decided to go round the other side of the wall and shout sectarian abuse and threats."

The fire-raising attempt happened while the Riverside Youth Band were rehearsing inside the building.

Only days before, the Old Boys Club, a group of over-70s, were intimidated by the gang.

William said: "The next day reviewing the area where they stand the place was still stinking of weed and covered in litter.

"There were dirty football marks all over the windows, our camera has been bashed and they tried to set the building on fire so the place stinks of a burning smell."

Rev Boyle says he has also found empty canisters of Nitrous oxide, or so-called 'laughing gas' strewn around the grounds and had to challenge youngsters urinating on gravestones.

The minister says he is at the end of his tether not only because of the constant abuse but his frustration with what he says is a lack of response from police.

He said: "We dialled 101 but it was busy which is always the case.

"We finally got through and were told officers would attend, nobody attended.

"The 101 number is an absolute waste of time - it's not fit for purpose.

"You can't get through and when you do the police don't show, there's not enough police or police call centre staff to go round."

William says the way the church has been targeted is disheartening.

He told the Telegraph: "We are working extremely hard to make our church open to the community, reaching out and supporting people.

"I have a real passion and energy for this church and parish but these types of incidents are absolutely soul-destroying and can totally affect your morale.

"We will have to dip into our funds to improve our CCTV and we were saving up to employ a community worker - we would rather spend the money on that."

The Telegraph contacted Chief Inspector Paul Cameron and put the Mr Boyle's concerns to him but has not yet received a response.

Anyone who knows who is responsible for the spate of attacks on the church is asked to call Greenock police or to ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.