CHURCHES have been hit by a spate of thefts from offertory boxes.

But vicars and church wardens have vowed to keep their doors open to worshippers.

There have been five reports of thefts and attempted break-ins of church collection boxes in the past week.

The latest to be targeted was St Gregory's Minster, in Kirkdale, near Kirkbymoorside, where would-be thieves tried to force open an offertory box between 3pm and 8pm on Saturday.

At All Saints' Church, in Helmsley, criminals have struck twice in a week, breaking the locks on offertory boxes on May 8 and 15.

The Reverend David Wil-bourne, vicar of All Saints', said some of the money stolen had been given by people who had lit votive candles.

"People come in with their worries and concerns and light a candle to bring light into their particular darkness," he said.

"When you see some of the things they have written in the book that they are dealing with, it seems very mean for this to happen."

But he said: "We're not going to close because of mean-minded thieves."