A HISTORIC church targeted by thieves for its lead is aiming to replace its damaged roof with stainless steel.

The go-ahead has been given for a long-awaited repair project to begin this September at St Nicholas' in Guisborough although only about half the total has so far been secured.

Damage has been caused to the vestry of the Grade II Listed parish building due to rain dripping through the holes in its vandalised roof.

A goal of £21,000 has been set to pay for a permanent replacement made of stainless steel, a metal which does not have the same lucrative scrap value as lead.

About a quarter of the target raised has been boosted by a £5,000 donation from Banks Renewables the company behind the proposed Bank Field wind farm, which could be located to the north of Guisborough, on agricultural land on the northern side of the A171.

A community benefits package worth up to £85,000 per year, or £2.13m over the scheme’s 25-year lifespan, would be made available if the development goes forward.

Beryl Jackson, grants secretary on the church’s building fabric committee, says: “The lead thefts led to a great deal of damage to the interior of the building, and while the temporary seal we put in place has done a good job, we always knew that further problems would arise if we didn’t get a permanent solution.

“We’ve now got a clear schedule in mind for when we expect the new roof to be in place, and are already looking forward to what it will add to the improvements that we’ve been able to make to the church in the last few years, which have combined to greatly improve the environment enjoyed by our congregation and visitors.”