A MAN walked into a Bolton mosque which was packed with worshippers and urinated on the floor.

Muslims in the Masjid E Noor Ul Islam Mosque in Halliwell were stunned when the man leapt over a wall and decided to relieve himself.

They say the act, on Sunday at 9.30pm, was not only hugely disrespectful, but has left them with a large bill. It will cost up to £1,000 to replace the flooring.

Yasin Abdulla, vice-president of the mosque, said: "We've mopped it up and jet washed it but, because the flooring is now seen as unclean, we have to change it."

The man, described by police as a white male, was walking with his friends along Halliwell Road and decided, as he was passing the mosque, to jump over a wall and urinate against its front door.

He then opened the door and urinated into the mosque foyer before rejoining his friends who were standing in the road. It is believed they went to a nearby pub, also in Halliwell Road.

Police were later called to a scuffle in the area where one man who was not involved in the earlier incident suffered minor head and leg injuries. CCTV footage of the area is now being examined.

Chief Inspector Janet Jones, of Astley Bridge Police Station, said: "The actions of this individual at the mosque are not only insulting and disrespectful, but also out of the bounds of public decency.

"We are investigating this incident and would ask anyone who knows the man involved to come forward.

"We are also looking at the circumstances surrounding the fight outside the pub where a man was injured.

"We would advise anyone with information about either incident to come forward and speak to the police, and not to take matters into their own hands."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Astley Bridge Police on 0161 856 5757, or Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111.