Church hall in Paisley "beyond repair" after raiders run riot

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Church chiefs have been left gutted after a vacant hall was "destroyed" by raiders.A trail of destruction running to thousands of pounds has already been left at the site.Radiators have been ripped from walls, copper piping pulled out and toilets smashed at the building, on Paisley's Montgomery Road.It has been vacant since the Covid pandemic struck and parishioners at the former Sandyford Church amalgamated with those at the town's Wallneuk, to form the new Paisley North parish.Church of Scotland insiders say they have already spent more than £2,000 securing the structure in a bid to keep it safe from vandals and a 76-year-old parishioner has been called out after it was targeted repeatedly to re-secure the building.Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.

Sign up to our newsletters here.Double glazed doors have been smashed down so the raiders could gain entry, bolted storm doors forced and windows smashed, leaving a trail of destruction.Church chiefs now look set to pick up the tab for drafting in an independent security company to keep what's left of the structure safe.The Gallowhill building is currently up for sale, being marketed by estate agents at Rightmove for offers over £270,000.It is currently under offer after a buyer is believed to have been found, subject to necessary permissions being obtained.Police have stepped up patrols in a bid to crackdown on the destruction.A church source told the Express: "During covid we had a union with Sandyford and these halls were put up for sale."They have basically been vandalised beyond repair."At first it seemed to be teenagers but now the radiators and everything have been removed from the wall and stacked ready for removal."The source added: "It is a