THIEVES failed to dampen the spirits of churchgoers who continued their morning service despite having a hole in the church roof.

Members of the parish of St Helens and West Auckland discovered that thieves had stripped lead off the church roof, but carried on with their service.

Father Robert McTeer said: "I found it on Thursday morning when I went to say Mass, but we still carried on with the Mass and called the police afterwards.''

Police are appealing for witnesses after three strips of lead were taken from the church, which is a Grade I-listed medieval building.

PC Chris Horner said: "They have not taken much which would have been of benefit, which leads me to believe they were disturbed. It caused £2,000."

Father McTeer said that the theft has come as a sickening blow, but said he was not prepared to let it get him down.

"It is sorted out now and the roof has an alarm on it. I just wish these people would think before committing what is really a mindless act of vandalism. The scrap value of lead is not a lot these days and it has cost more to repair the damage than what they will have made from this," he said.

The damage comes after the community worked hard to raise £200,000 for extensive restoration for the church.

The money was spent on bringing what is one of the oldest churches in the country up to standard by lime- washing the walls and installing an underfloor heating system.

Father McTeer said: "This is a beautiful little church that is well used and supported by the local community. It is a very special building to them and they have a great respect for it.

"I have been here eight years and I have worked hard with the community, and the church really has suffered little vandalism in all the time I have been here.''

Anyone who saw anything suspicious between 7pm on Wednesday and 9am on Thursday is asked to contact PC Horner at Bishop Auckland Police Station on (01388) 603566.