CALLOUS thieves have targeted churches in the Swindon area and have left behind a trail of devastation.

The Rev John Rees from St Leonard's Church in Broad Blunsdon has spoken of his shock at turning up at the church on Wednesday morning to find 30 metres of roofing had been stolen.

He has said that the Grade II listed building had the roofing specially made in France and that it would be expensive to fund a replacement.

Just days before his church was vandalised, All Saints Church in Lydiard Millicent fell foul of thieves.

Stone tiles have been stolen from the roof, as well as from a nearby cottage, and will cost approximately £8,000 to replace as the tiles are Grade II listed Cotswold stone.

The Rev Rees said: “I am very concerned that someone would target a church in this way.

“The roofing was not lead, so my only thought is that these people assumed it was and worth more money.

“The materials are actually quite expensive and the replacements are from France so we will have to look into that.

“This is the first time we have had stone stolen from the roof in all the time I can remember.

“I would urge anyone who saw a truck in the area either late on Tuesday or early Wednesday to contact the police. I would also ask that if ever someone sees people working on church roofs to enquire if they are genuine or not.”

Bride-to-be Gina Parry-Hardie has urged anyone who can donate to the Lydiard church to do so as her plans for a dream wedding there later this year could be thwarted by the thieves.

She said: “I am devastated that this has happened.

“Not just because we are due to be married there and obviously the damage to the building has completely tarnished what should have been such a pretty backdrop, but because the people at the church are so wonderfully kind and thoughtful, they really don’t deserve to have to find the money to fix this.

“Everyone has the perception that churches have money but I can’t stress enough how tight the budget is there.

“We hope that the church are able to provide the repairs to the front of the building before our wedding in September but knowing how much the repairs will cost and how much work is involved its highly unlikely.

“If anyone can help to donate towards this we would be so very grateful.”

Anyone with information on the two incidents is urged to call Swindon Police on 0845 408 7000, or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.