A DISUSED cemetery chapel will be demolished as planned, after being targeted by arsonists.

The vestibule of the chapel at Heaton Cemetery was burnt out in a fire on Saturday night.

The fire was not — as previously reported — at a similar disused chapel at Astley Bridge cemetery.

That information was reported by The Bolton News in good faith, after an incorrect address was provided by the fire service.

Last month, Bolton Council issued notice that the Heaton Cemetery chapel would be demolished, with six weeks’ worth of work due to start on July 31.

Cllr John Walsh said that there is little prospect of bringing chapels like this back to a usable standard.

He said: “People know that these chapels are no longer in use and that makes them a target. This isn’t the first time this has happened and it won’t be the last.

“It is ironic that the one in Heaton was actually scheduled for demolition anyway.

“At Astley Bridge, the fact that the council spent such a large amount of money making the roof safe and yet the building is still in such a state shows how much more would need investing to make it usable.”