CHURCHES in North Yorkshire have been urged to be on alert following the theft of valuable stained glass from a remote moorland community.

It is believed the glass was stolen to order from St Mary's Church, Stainburn, in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Priest-in-charge of St Mary's, the Reverend Stuart Lewis, said: "Although the building is officially redundant, it is a beautiful church and services are held several times a year.

"Parts of the church date from the Norman era and one of the theories is that thieves were stealing to order.

"It was probably on someone's Christmas list, most likely someone who lives abroad."

Thieves cut the stained glass away from the east window.

Residents of Stainburn, which consists of only a handful of properties and remote farms, have been devastated by the theft.

Now, the Reverend John Colston has urged other churches in the Ripon and Leeds Diocese to be vigilant.

Mr Colston said that the building was under the care of the Church Conservation Trust, which has replaced the stolen panel with plain glass.

He has written to fellow clergy across the diocese, warning: "Please be vigilant with security and make sure your church does not give easy access for thieves and vandals."