in Cockermouth this summer.

the behaviour of those taking part in Sunday's events had been "beyond the pale"."These people don't even know their history - we're a town of immigrants," he said.

"Everybody in Middlesbrough came from somewhere else."We are going to take our town back. We will not be beaten by these thugs. They should get the message loud and clear."Stan and Elaine Johnson were among the volunteers who responded to an appeal by Teesside Churches Together.

The pair said it was "heartbreaking" to see thelast week used as an "excuse" for "mindless violence".

"It's disgusting," Mrs Johnson said.

"The victims' families are going through enough.The Government said it would keep the issue under review, "balancing the concern over the need to protect wildlife from the minority who misuse catapults, with respect for their legitimate use by anglers".

Fleet Pond is the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire, with 141 acres of varied habitats.Plans to renovate a village hall originally built by a brewing family are under way.

Grade II listed Yew Tree Hall in Lorton, Cumbria, was a former malting barn for Jennings, who brewed in the area for almost 200 years.Chair of Yew Tree Hall management committee Adam Baker said it wanted to "return the character and heritage" and modernise the building the community had a "love and deep feeling" for.