SECURITY is to be stepped up at the defunct Bury General Hospital after vandals ran amok.

Gangs of youths embarked on a weekend of mayhem and destruction by breaking into the hospital buildings.

Police were called on a number of occasions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after residents saw youngsters breaking into the Walmersley Road complex.

At the height of the vandalism, several youths grabbed fire extinguishers and covered the bus stop and surrounding gardens with foam. Others took bed sheets and were running around the hospital grounds.

Discussions are now ongoing between the hospital owners and a security firm to improve security at the site. These include putting up more boards and fencing as well as reviewing the need for extra security guards to patrol the empty corridors.

Mr David Clements, hospital manager of Bury NHS Trust, said: "There has been a dramatic rise in acts of vandalism since the hospital closed. This weekend alone, the security guard was outnumbered by gangs of youths who forced their way into the building. "We are in talks with the security firm to see if support can be quickly called for when needed. The hospital is still owned by the NHS Trust and we will protect it."

Mr Clements said that a number of departments, including the pathology labs, were still being used, although the spate of vandalism attacks had prompted a review of their continued use of the building.

At least two people were detained by police on Saturday night in connection with public order offences.

PC John Flowers, of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said: "Officers are in contact with Bury NHS Trust to discuss ways of securing the building from trespassers.

"Now that the hospital has been closed, the buildings are proving to be a magnet to a minority of youngsters intent on causing damage to the complex."