A congregation has been left shattered after thieves stripped lead from the roof of a church for a second time in a matter of months.

The Hunts Post: Church of St. Swithin, Old Weston, lead theft,Church of St. Swithin, Old Weston, lead theft, (Image: Archant)

St Swithin’s Church, in Old Weston, saw about £3,000-worth of lead stolen by thieves overnight between February 22 and the following day.

It is the second such attack in recent months, with four tonnes of lead ripped from the roof above the nave and the two side aisles on December 23.

A window was damaged in the latest attack and the church has now been left exposed to the elements and at the mercy of the weather, with large gaps in the roof.

The Hunts Post: Church of St. Swithin, Old Weston, lead theft,Church of St. Swithin, Old Weston, lead theft, (Image: Archant)

Parishioner Sylvia Brown, whose husband Andrew is church warden, said: “We were hoping to get a bit back from the sale of the remaining lead from the roof to put into our repairs but now that is gone. It is a real shame.

“It is a huge blow for the parishioners, just to finish off the job after the first theft.”

Mrs Brown said the church was now desperately seeking support from the community to help with raising funds to repair the roof and get the church back on its feet.

She said: “We are looking for help and support, anything that people can do will be appreciated.”

Cambridgeshire police confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the latest theft and urged anyone with information to contact officers on 101.

The theft comes just months after thousands of pounds worth of lead lining the entire north aisle and part of the south aisle at St Michael’s Church, in Great Gidding, was stolen and a similar incident occurred at All Saints Church, in nearby Winwick, in which a large quantity of lead was taken.

Anyone who can help with fund-raising for St Swithin’s Church should contact the church warden on 01832 293339.