Leak reveals Holy Trinity Church lead theft in Coalbrookdale

Thousands of pounds of lead has been stolen from a church roof in Shropshire.

The theft was discovered at Holy Trinity Church in Coalbrookdale on Wednesday when water started leaking into the building, police said.

About 40ft (12m) of lead, worth about £5,000, was stolen from the roof.

It is likely that the offenders would have had to climb over the outside of the church as nobody had access inside the tower, the spokesman added.

"The church warden noticed that water had started to leak into the building on Wednesday," the spokesman said.

"After looking further into the matter, it was discovered that a substantial amount of lead had been taken from the roof.

"It is believed to have been stolen some time during the last week."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.