ANTIQUE furniture worth several thousands of pounds has been stolen from a village church near Northallerton.

Burglars believed to have known what they were looking for kicked in the front door of the parish church at Danby Wiske - one of the few in the country with no known dedication to a saint - while it was locked overnight between Sunday and Monday.

Their haul, the total value of which was not being released by police yesterday, included two seventeenth-century bishops' chairs.

The thieves also carried off other furniture from a later period made by Thompson's of Kilburn and carrying the famous "mouseman" motif. This consisted of an oak communion table with distinctive carvings on the front, a captain's chair and a desk.

Police, who appealed for help from anyone with information about any suspicious movements in the village, said country churches remained vulnerable in North Yorkshire.

A spokesman said: "In this case it is good quality furniture and the thieves have gone for it. It seems as if they knew what they were looking for. It would have fitted into a vehicle about the size of a Transit van.

"Someone has taken this furniture with a view to passing it on and we would welcome a call if anyone is offered any items for sale."

The spokesman added: "Raids on churches are happening all the time, not necessarily always to take property like this. Many churches are now locked up instead of being left open as in days gone by. It is a sad reflection on things."

Anyone who saw any suspicious movements in Danby Wiske should call 01609 783131