A CHURCH has been left with a bill for hundreds of pounds after thieves smashed stained glass windows to steal £25.

The attack, described by church officials as wanton vandalism, has left St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, with two of its Victorian stained-glass windows smashed.

Police are appealing for information to help find those responsible for the attack, which happened after 8pm on Monday.

The thieves climbed onto a flat roof and peeled back protective plastic covers from the stained glass windows, dating from the 1870s, which are on the south wall of the chancel.

Thieves broke the glass to get inside the church, where they threw a stand used for displaying candles into the middle of the south aisle.

They then stole a box containing £25 from the church’s bookstore, as well as taking a large, oil-filled candle.

The windows have been boarded-up and are expected to remain that way for several weeks.

Church treasurer Brian Johnson said repairing the windows would require major work, which he estimated would cost hundreds of pounds.

He said that given the number of stained-glass windows the church has, the break-in could have been a lot worse.

He added: “One is so depressed by these by these events, wanton vandalism has been carried out just for the sheer hell of it.”

The Reverend Robert Williamson said the vandalism was sad and showed a disregard for anything sacred and respect for anything.

The church, which is next to the Market Place, was built in the 12th Century.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.