Thieves raid donation boxes at Church of St Laurence in Ludlow

Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves used a crowbar to smash collection boxes and raided a till at the Church of St Laurence in the centre of Ludlow.

It is the second attack on a town centre church in Ludlow in the past fortnight.

The burglary is thought to have taken place at about 2am on Sunday. Doors and boxes were damaged and a crowbar was left at the scene.

It took place on the night following the church's Medieval Bazaar, a Christmas market held inside the ancient church to coincide with wider festive celebrations in the town which brought thousands into Ludlow.

A spokesman for the church said the church re-opened on Sunday as usual despite the theft. Anyone with information should He said: "All bazaar takings were successfully banked, only donations boxes were damaged and cash stolen.

"There is no cash now on site.

"Grateful thanks to the team at Treasure & Sons for making quick repairs after the break in. The donation boxes were back within hours."

He said in an act of kindness, a visitor who had won a £100 hamper at the bazaar had given it back to help raise funds for the cost of the damage from break in.

Paul Roberts, speaking for West Mercia Police, said: "Police are currently investigating reports of a burglary at a church in Ludlow that is believed to have happened between 10pm on Saturday (NOV 26) and Sunday.

"An unknown offender or offenders entered the property on Church Street and stole a large amount of cash from a till and collection boxes inside, damaging them in the process before leaving."

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area at the time or has information is asked to ccall police on 101, quoting incident number 78s of November 27.

The theft follows a break in at Ludlow Methodist Church on Broad Street between 9pm on November 21 and the morning of November 22, in which an unsuccessful attempt was made to raid a safe.