Callous thieves have taken food tins and prayer cards from a rural church.

The thieves struck at St Mary's Church in High Street, Stalham sometime between midday and 3pm on October 13, taking 32 prayer cards, 20 bookmarks, 10 handmade celebration cards, a notebook and food tins from a food bank box. Three plastic display stands for the cards were also completely emptied.

Further items were also taken from an unlocked vestry area, including a tin of 50 pens, two boxes of tissues and a carrier bag full of tea towels.

It is not the first time thieves have targeted the church. Earlier this year there was a spate of thefts and attempted break-ins at the church and others in Sutton, Happisburgh, Sea Palling and Waxham.

At St Mary's, which was broken into three times over one weekend, an estimated �3,000 worth of electrical equipment, including a sound system, microphone and large custom-built trolley, was taken.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Norfolk police on 101.