A COUNCIL ranger has told of the terror attacks he faces as he patrols a Bolton cemetery. Gary Fenton is currently on sick leave after yobs threw a brick through his van's windscreen as he drove round Tonge Cemetery. The father-of-three suffered cuts and whiplash injuries after his head slammed against the windscreen.

Last year Mr Fenton had an agonising wait for the results of an Aids test after being stabbed by a hypodermic needle which had been jammed into a toilet lock. The test proved negative.

Now Mr Fenton, of Trafford Street, Farnworth, says it is time people knew of the threats council staff must contend with as they try to secure Bolton's cemeteries.

Mr Fenton, 40, who has been a ranger for three years, said: "The number of idiots that we have to deal with is unbelievable and since I started in the job it's just got worse.

"I don't know what the attraction is for them, but the numbers are on the increase. People don't realise what we have to put up with and it should be highlighted.

"It was a terrible time when I had to wait for the results of the Aids test. No-one should have to go through that because they were doing their job."

The most recent attack came during his final patrol of the day at the cemetery, off Cemetery Road, Tonge Fold, at 6.30pm.

As he neared the bottom end of the cemetery, close to the River Tonge, he spotted two youths.

Suddenly a brick smashed through his van's windscreen, leaving Mr Fenton stunned behind the wheel. Despite a search by police the thugs responsible were not found.

Last week the BEN revealed the repeated vandalism which is plaguing Farnworth Cemetery, with stolen cars being burnt-out and gravestones damaged.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.