THIEVES have targeted two local churches in the past week stealing lead sheeting from the centuries-old buildings.

The village church at Bradford-on-Tone suffered worst with the culprits scaling the roof and stealing lead covering the north and south aisles overnight last Wednesday and Thursday. The repair bill will run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Two nights later thieves removed a large quantity of lead from the roof at St John’s Church in Wellington.

The Rev Tim Treanor, team rector at both churches, said: “It is not just what the lead is worth to these villains. It is the impact it has on the church afterwards. There is the cost of repairing the roof, damage done inside the church and insurance."

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.