A church choir rehearsal was broken up by a group of yobs who threw eggs and shouted abuse at the singers.

The music group had been practising at St Michael's Church hall, in Leigh Road, Leigh, when five hooded youths burst into the building and subjected the singers to their Halloween prank.

Diane Nicholson, who is the vicar's wife and runs the group, said: "At least one of them kicked the door to open it.

"They were all shouting and eggs came flying into the room.

"We get a lot of youths who hang around the church anyway on a regular basis.

"They were big lads, probably aged around 18 or so, with deep voices."

But she added: "But at least it was only eggs and no one was hurt."

Mrs Nicholson said they had to stop their practice, on Tuesday night, to scrub egg yolk from the carpet, chairs and walls.

She said: "That room is carpeted and we had to make a start on it. But my guess is it probably needs cleaning again. It's one of those carpets that really needs to be cleaned professionally."

Lesley Woodward, the singer closest to the door, said: "It all happened so quickly. We were shocked and surprised at the cheek of it.

"I know it was Halloween but you don't expect them to come in to where you are and do that sort of thing."

Mrs Woodward's husband, Arthur, who lives in Bournemouth Park Drive in Southend, said he was upset that his wife and her friends had been subjected to the attack.

He said: "My wife had egg all down her face and across her Bible."