A Yeadon congregation is determined to have a happy Christmas - despite vandals' attempts to cancel it.

Parishioners at St Andrew's Church, Haw Lane, have been forced to close their church hall following repeated attacks by vandals.

All their annual Christmas events have had to be reorganised due to the closure - but against all odds they have battled to make sure Christmas in Yeadon is not cancelled.

The church has faced many setbacks, the latest being losing its vicar, the Reverend Keith Potter, due to ill health.

The church hall has had its doors and windows smashed in and, as previously reported, thieves stole £10,000 of roof tiles from the church.

Despite the doors and windows being repaired recently, vandals have once again destroyed them.

The brownie pack has also been forced to disband until the New Year.

It used to meet in the church hall but now has nowhere to go.

But church warden Steve Maw is one of many parishioners who has fought to ensure all the Christmas services and events continue.

"We are hoping to cover the cost of the vandalism through insurance claims," he said.

"We had three windows put through more recently at the church hall and as soon as the doors were repaired they were smashed again.

"So we have taken the decision to shut it down and board up the windows.

"Our vicar had to retire due to ill health and we are currently advertising for a new one.

"In the New Year when we get a new vicar we will decide on what to do and how we can protect it from the vandals.

"We are still waiting for the roof slates to be sorted out and the church looks miserable, but we are determined to keep it going at this difficult time.

"At the moment we are making sure all the Christmas services go ahead.

"We are trying our best to make sure everyone has a good time. Carrying on with everything is giving us something to hope for."

The Christmas Fayre and the children's Christmas party had to be transferred to the church due to all the damage.

The church itself has not escaped unscathed, it has had £10,000 worth of roof slates stolen.

This has not deterred the loyal congregation from sticking by their church, which has seen a wedding held on Saturday and the Christmas Fayre continuing.

On Sunday a carol service will be held at the church led by the congregation and children will be doing readings.

Visiting vicars are standing in on a weekly basis to ensure services continue to be held. Midnight Mass will take place at 11.45pm on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day service will be led by the Archdeacon of Bradford at 10am.