Arson suspected in church attack

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A building used by an evangelical church in County Down has been destroyed in a suspicious fire.

Damage put at £15,000 was caused to a portable hut in the Circular Road area of Newtownards on Sunday.

Hundreds of pounds worth of toys for a new toddlers group were also destroyed. That group will move to a scout's hall.

Meanwhile, Ballygomartin Presbyterian Church in north Belfast was targeted by youths who kicked the front door and threw stones during an evening service.

The premises was not damaged but church elder Wesley McCreedy said parents needed to take responsibility for their children.

"Many of the people in the community have been shocked... we would call on parents in the area to know where their children are at night," he said.

"Around the area there are a lot of elderly people, people with young families and no-one wants the like of this."