Two charities have come together to foil thieves who have been damaging historic churches across Somerset by stealing lead from the roofs.

Allchurches Trust has given £30,000 to the Somerset Churches Trust towards the cost of providing 30 roof alarms on churches across the county.

Although the number of lead thefts has fallen following changes in legislation they are still happening and costing hard-pressed congregations thousands of pounds.

All Saints church, near Clevedon, became a victim in June last year when lead worth about £15,000 was stripped off the roof of the south aisle of the church, a Grade 1 listed building dating back to the late 14th or early 15th Century.

Somerset Churches Trust’s chairman Dr Axel Palmer said: “We are so pleased with this grant from Allchurches Trust. It really will help churches protect their vulnerable roofs.

“Part of the problem is that if thieves strike then the church may become a victim of the weather because the buildings are not watertight. And even if they are unprotected for only a short period of time heavy rain can cause considerable damage to internal decorations and contents, including organs.

“I would like to hear from any church or chapel that would like to apply for a £1,000 grant towards the cost of installing a roof alarm. A special roof alarm grant application form can be downloaded on our website at www.somersetchurchestrust.org

“You can either send the completed form to us as a scanned email attachment, email [email protected], or post it to our grants secretary, Anthony Sutcliffe, Ditcheat Hill Farmhouse, Ditcheat, Somerset BA4 6TL.”