A church in Somerset was forced to close for a month after its gravestones were used as counters for drug-dealing.

St John the Baptist’s Church in Glastonbury has now re-opened and is working with the police, Town Council and local businesses to prevent further anti-social behaviour in its churchyard.

Churchwarden David Smith told the BBC that it was a “horrible" decision to close, but the raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing and that was "unacceptable". 

“I believe the closure was the reset we needed, and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened."

The 15th-century church, which is described as ‘one of the most ambitious parish churches in Somerset’, stopped all church-related activities for the month apart from Sunday services and funerals.

One local resident, Dandelion Chalice, told the BBC that she “felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship".

"But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed," she continued. "You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics."

Avon and Somerset Police said the closure had been necessary to protect safety.