Fund-raisers at a Norfolk church will have to fork out thousands of pounds again after it was targeted by lead thieves for a second time in less than four years.

Twenty sheets of lead were stolen from the roof of St Peter and Paul's church in Church Road, Watlington, near King's Lynn, overnight on Wednesday. It means that only plastic sheets and wooden planks now protect the church and its organ from the elements.

Churchwarden Richard Miller said about 10 sheets of lead were stolen from the roof at the front of the church in 2010.

He said: 'That cost about £11,500 to replace. Because there have been so many metal thefts from churches, the church insurers now give only £5,000 maximum towards replacement costs. It meant we had to raise the rest, £6,500.

'On that occasion, there was a remarkable reponse from the village and we managed to raise that money in six months. The repairs were completed in 2011.

'But if we have to go cap in hand again to the villagers, so soon afterwards, obviously it's going to be harder to raise twice as much money. If it cost £11,500 in 2010, then it's going to be more than £20,000 now.'

He said they discovered the theft when they unlocked the church on Thursday morning. 'All the lead at the back of the church had been stolen overnight, and the remaining pieces of lead had been damaged in an attempt to strip them off. Last time, as we fund-raised to replace the lead, our priest Father James Nolan, who has now retired, sat in front of the church for a day with a bucket and begged. We have no priest now and retired priests are helping with Sunday service, so this makes it even worse.'

Jean Golding, Watlington parish council chairman, said it was 'awful' news. 'It's so very sad. We went through all this a few years ago,' she added.

It comes just weeks after it was reported that lead roofing worth thousands of pounds had been stolen from churches across Norfolk in the last two months. It prompted police to urge communities to be vigilant.

A Norfolk police spokesman said: 'The theft took place between 6pm on Wednesday, September 24 and 9am on Thursday, September 25. 'Anyone who witnessed this incident or has further information should call Norfolk Constabulary on 101.'

anyone who sees any suspicious activities around churches should contact police on 101 or call 999 if a crime is in progress. Has your church recently been targeted by thieves? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk