Lead theft blow for Bexhill church

This means the congregation will once more have to find several thousand pounds to cover the cost of repair having just paid out for the theft in July which cost more than 3,000.

The church's insurance company will only cover 5,000 per year for lead theft claims which St Michael's had to ask for back in January. Now the church has to find the money itself to put the damage right.

Church warden Mick Gregory claimed this latest theft was "almost soul destroying" but said: "They can knock us down...but we will come back."

The theft from the roof of the tower above the main entrance was confirmed on Tuesday morning following a leak at the weekend spotted by Father Stephen Huggins who at first thought it was rain.

Mick said: "We are absolutely gutted because we had the theft in July and we had to raise about 5,000 which we did, but now this means we have got to raise even more money. I think we are looking at probably another 3,000-4,000.

"It is almost soul destroying but the congregation has really rallied on this.

"I believe it has made us stronger as a congregation and as a community.

"Raising money for the previous theft we had people who visited the church and found it so welcoming that they wanted to help with the repair bill."

There have now been five thefts altogether and all the stolen lead has been replaced by liquid plastic decathane which means there is virtually none of it left.

It is not known how thieves gained access to the top of the tower which is around 30ft high and would require at least a three section ladder. Mick believes they must have arrived from the lay-by in Hastings road where a vehicle could be left, and came in via the back to the church hall, climbing over the vestry roof.

Father Stephen described the crime as "a huge disappointment".

He added: "Such theft causes us many problems. In the last months the congregation of this church has had to raise many thousands of pounds for the roof which could have been used elsewhere. The repeated thefts also bring about much disruption to the life of the church as well as an unnecessary extra burden on the church wardens who are already working really very hard. However, as disappointing as these thefts obviously are I am very sure that St. Michael's church will cope. We have just enjoyed a splendid weekend of events to commemorate the courage, hope and faith that former members of the congregation presented in 1940 by not closing the doors of the church despite the threat of imminent invasion. While the thefts will clearly set us back we shall carry on serving our local community as we have done for the past 80 years."