MORE than £30,000 worth of damage has been caused to a historic Grade I listed church after lead thieves struck.

Police say the 13th Century St Edmund’s Church, in Sedgefield, suffered both internal and external damage after a large amount of lead was stolen from the roof of the north transept.

The theft was discovered at the weekend when churchwarden Brian Mutch climbed to the roof of the tower to check a problem with the flagpole, but could have occurred at any point between October 1 and December 8.

The culprits stripped the transept of a large piece of lead sheet from the south east corner, an 8m strip of lead from the ridge and all the lead to the box gutters and flashing on both sides.

Water is now seeping into the building and threatening roof timbers which date back 800 years and the only 18th century box pew in the church.

Mr Mutch branded those responsible as “avaricious individuals with no respect for centuries of local history”.

And it is not the first time the church has faced a hefty bill after being hit by thieves.

The latest incident comes eight years after a major raid on St Edmund’s when lead was stripped from the roof of the south transept and above the organ loft which cost around £27,000 to replace.

Earlier this year, lead was stolen from the hips on the lych gate and damage caused to the roof tiles. The repair bill is expected to be in the region of £2,000.

Mr Mutch said the cost of repairs to the north transept is not yet known, but based on previous work it could easily be in the region of £30,000.

He said: “It is appalling that anyone should cause damage of this magnitude to such a beautiful building.”

A specialist roofing company has been brought in to identify the full extent of the damage so temporary repairs can be carried out.

The parish church is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the region and houses a 17th-century carved, wooden chancel screen and an octagonal font made of Frosterley marble.

PC Glen Cattermole said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area and can help us with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call Durham police on 101 quoting reference 211 of December 9.