LEAD thieves have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a church roof.

Parishioners at St Cuthbert's Church in Redmarshall, near Stockton, need to raise £30,000 to pay for structural damage on the grade I-listed building, which has been targeted seven times since August.

The lead has been stripped from the roof of the 13th Century church, allowing water in, which has damaged the church's pews and stonework.

Churchwarden Eric Smalley said: "We have tried to protect everything as much as we can but we have had to take the carpets out and take the material off the pews because of water damage.

"At one point we had volunteers sleeping inside the church to stop the problem and the thieves were heard on one occasion but managed to escape before the police arrived."

After working with English Heritage, the lead will be replaced with less valuable terne-coated steel roof.

However, despite insurance covering some of the cost of the repair work, a further £20,000 is needed.

The Reverend David Brooke said: "We expect the church to be out of service until February, which will be more than six months that we have been unable to hold services in the church.

"There will be no Christmas service. However, we are thankful to Carlton Methodist Church for allowing us to hold services in their facilities while we are closed."

Anyone who can help can call Mr Brooke on 07967-326085 or Mr Smalley on 01740-631709.