It has been a feature at Pakefield's main place of worship for more than a century.

Eastern Daily Press: The stained glass window at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church, Pakefield which has been removed for renovation.The stained glass window at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church, Pakefield which has been removed for renovation. (Image: Archant)

But a stained glass window at the clifftop All Saints' and St Margaret's Church near Lowestoft has been removed after the recent storms and high winds loosened one of its panels.

Eastern Daily Press: Work to remove the stained glass window at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church, Pakefield for renovation.Work to remove the stained glass window at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church, Pakefield for renovation. (Image: Archant)

The window has about 500 panels depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd and is undergoing specialist renovation. Church leaders have launched an appeal to help raise £11,500 to pay for it.

Eastern Daily Press: Rev Mark Capron with the 8ft by 4ft picture of the stained glass window that is on view in Pakefield church.Rev Mark Capron with the 8ft by 4ft picture of the stained glass window that is on view in Pakefield church. (Image: Archant)

The Rev Mark Capron, curate of Pakefield and Carlton Colville with Mutford, said the brittle plastic covering protecting the window at the east end of the church was badly damaged by recent strong winds.

He said: 'Closer inspection of the window, which was installed around 1896, identified that as well as the replacement of the protective covering, other urgent restoration work also needed so, to prevent further damage or accident, it has now been removed.

'The window bears the full force of the strong sea wind and over time these winds have affected the lead supporting the panes of stained glass, which depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd.'

Rev Capron said: 'The work, for which we have now begun a fund-raising appeal, will cost £11,650 and will involve restoring the damaged coloured panes, cleaning all the glass and then re-leading the window.'

New thin metal grilles will also be installed to help protect the window from vandalism.

The congregation is fund-raising, with a chilli and quiz night raising £446.55 and taking the total sum collected or donated so far to £3,294.

Events planned include a cafè, offering hot drinks and snacks at the church on Fridays during Lent.

Today there is a sponsored Bible reading in the day and, this evening, historian John Holmes will put on a slideshow of old Pakefield and Lowestoft in the church hall.