Church leaders are to erect iron gates at the entrance to their place of worship in Somerton to try to combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Two wrought-iron gates will enclose the porch of St Michael's and All Angels Church, facing Market Place, and will be locked at night.

Neighbours opposed the gates, saying they were unnecessary and would be ineffective, but churchwarden Graham Taylor has been given the go-ahead by South Somerset District Council.

Mr Taylor said: "It is a sad fact that many churches are vandalised and we started looking at having gates in the porch two years ago when we were having frequent anti-social behaviour at the church.

"It has tailed off, but I think it is just about basic security. Most places of worship in the UK have gates and St Michael's previously had them, so it is nothing new.

"From time to time we get people who are drunk staying in the porch and leaving a mess and we have had our notice board set alight and glass smashed.

"They are all minor things, but they all add up."

Five letters of objection were sent to the district council claiming acts of anti-social behaviour were unproven and the porch had provided sanctuary for centuries.

In a design and access statement, Mr Taylor said much thought and care had been taken to ensure the scheme was sympathetic to the Grade I-listed building which dates back to the 13th century.

The statement read: "Each evening when finally the church is locked and the alarms set, we know that the Achilles heel as it were is the porch, which is ungated and open, and for many years has provided a haven for mindless petty vandalism and anti-social behaviour. It is believed that a pair of locked gates at night will finally solve the problem."

The church already has gates at the entrance to its path.

The town council had recommended approval of the church's latest security move, but said that it was a sad reflection on the times that the gates were needed.