A suspected drink driver has badly damaged graves at St Stephen’s, Lindley after smashing through a wall in a late-night crash.
The driver, a man in his 30s, was injured after losing control of his Vauxhall Zafira on Monday night.
The car hit metal railings on one side of a road and then went through the church wall on the other side before coming to rest on graves.
A roads policing officer who attended the scene tweeted: "This drink driver in Lindley is lucky not to have ended up in one of the graves they've just destroyed."
The accident happened shortly before 11pm a driver and a passenger were in the Vauxhall. The injured driver was taken by ambulance to hospital and was said to be in a stable condition.
Vicar of Lindley, Revd Canon Rachel Firth said:
“When a place of rest becomes a place of destruction it’s hard for everyone to bear. We’d like to reassure the community in Lindley that while there is damage to some stones, there has been no disturbance of graves themselves. 
It’s also important to remember that the dead rest in the hands of God and aren’t touched by this, however difficult it is for us to see.
“Our insurers have been informed and are acting quickly to help us restore the graveyard to its peaceful state.
“We will be clearing debris and making good as best we can today and tomorrow would appreciate any help that can be offered by the community.
“It’s a relief to the church community that there was no loss of life and whatever the circumstances we have offered prayers this morning for all involved,” Revd Rachel said.