Lead stolen from historic church

Thieves apparently scaled Mary Magdalene Church using a long ladder taken from the nearby flood prevention work.

They removed a large strip of the metal and other pieces worth £700. Repair work is estimated at £1,200.

The congregation is currently trying to raise £50,000 for building restoration work this summer, but the roof must be repaired immediately and offers of financial help are being sought.

Rector of Yarm, the Rev Simon Gurd, said: "A big strip of lead was taken from the roof above the medieval spiral staircase. And flashings connected to the stonework were also stolen.

"We discovered it on Tuesday during an inspection by the contractors. If they hadn't gone up, we wouldn't have discovered it was missing - but we'd have found out when it started raining.

"We've got to repair it straight away, or rain water will get into the stonework. I've got permission from the diocese to go ahead and we hope to have repairs completed within days.

"We seem to take one step forward and another back."

Church warden Avril Monck added: "That area is the oldest part of the building. It's a lovely church of great historical interest, dating back to Saxon times.

"We think the lead will probably be melted down. It is quite valuable and the roofs of old buildings are particularly vulnerable to this kind of theft. There was no vandalism or other damage to the church."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information is urged to contact Yarm or Stockton police.

Mrs Monck emphasised: "It's a bitter blow to us. We're in the process of raising money for restoration work in July. We have to raise £25,000 ourselves and are applying for lottery grants.

"We've asked Yarm residents and businesses for donations for the general restoration work. This theft has thrown a big spanner in the works."

The church's summer fete is at Yarm School on June 22 and Stockton South MP Dari Taylor has given a bottle of House of Commons whisky, signed by Tony Blair, for a prize.