IT took parishioners ten years to raise the money to put new lead on their church roof - and thieves only 48 hours to steal it.

The vicar and members of his flock stood proudly in the church yard as work costing £102,500 was finally signed off.

St John's, in Seaham, County Durham, had never looked better - and a decade of fundraising jumble sales seemed well worth the effort.

But two days later, they were reeling in shock as the roof joists lay stripped of their £20,000 covering.

Police believe a gang of four men tore off the metal in the early hours of Monday.

The thieves may have made several visits under the cover of darkness as they stripped away the lead sheets.

The architect in charge of the repairs, which have been carried out over six months, only signed off the work on Friday after contractors completed their job.

The theft has left vicar of St John's, Father Peter Twisleton, and other officials furious.

They have urged witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as police try to hunt down the vandals.

Sue Webster, one of the church's wardens, said: "We struggled for years to raise the money and then finally it was all done and someone's come along and done this. We're absolutely gutted.

"I know the insurance will cover it, but it's not the point, it's very hurtful. They are nothing but low-life."

Thankfully, the theft of lead from the pitched roof and flat structure at the back of the building was spotted before rain fell and caused water to leak in.

The largest amount of metal was taken from above where the organ is installed and could have cause irreparable damage to the instrument if rain had seeped into the building.

Additional dents have been caused to the lower section when the metal was thrown down from the main roof, with tiles also broken.

It is thought a mattress may have been placed on the flat roof so material thrown down did not make a noise.

A knife and other tools have been recovered from the scene.

A nearby resident has said she spotted four men on the roofs at about 12.45am on Monday, but did not report it to police, and it is thought others passing the town centre church may have information which can help inquiries.

It is also believed the gang may have been using a small white van, which was parked at the rear of the building.

It is the second time the church, which was built in 1835, has been raided of valuables in recent years.

Four years ago, items including priceless silver chalices and flagons, which had been given to the church by the Londonderry family, who founded the town, were among property taken.

They have never been recovered.

Other improvements have also been carried out in recent years, including work to its tower and a new kitchen area.