The EDP is today calling on members of the community to help stop roof raiders from destroying our sacred church heritage.

Along with our sister paper the East Anglian Daily Times, we have announced a substantial reward of at least £26,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who target churches in the region.

And now members of the public are being asked to do their bit in the fight against the ongoing problem.

We have published posters for people to put up across Norfolk and Suffolk warning thieves that the community is watching.

More than 40 churches in both counties have been targeted for their lead over the past two years.

Nigel Pickover, editor-in-chief of the EDP, said: 'As part of the campaign we, together with other organisations in the community, are offering a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for lead thefts.

'The campaign has been backed by church leaders but today we are calling on you, the communities of Norfolk and Suffolk, to be the eyes and ears that help us put an end to this dreadful crime and help us protect these precious portals on the past for current and future generations.'

Various businesses and individuals have already pledged money to the campaign, adding to the £5,000 offered by the EDP and EADT.

Norfolk entrepreneur Graham Dacre, Kingsley Healthcare and Suffolk Brewer Adnams have all vowed to give £5,000 towards the fund, while the Bishop of Norwich and Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich pledged £2,000 each and Norfolk and Suffolk's police and crime commissioners £1,000 each.

Other organisations are being urged to help swell the £26,000 bounty even further in a bid to help protect our churches.

Archdeacon of Norwich, the Ven Jan McFarlane, said she would be encouraging churches across the county to put up the posters.

She added: 'We are very grateful indeed to the EDP for supporting our churches through this campaign.

'Our beautiful Norfolk churches are a familiar and distinctive feature of our county, and are often cared for by a small number of dedicated volunteers so that they can remain open for the community to use, both now and for generations to come.

'It is so disheartening when our churches are desecrated in this way, and we would ask everyone to be vigilant and to report any unusual activity to the police.'

•See today's EDP for your 'No lead thieves here' poster

•Have you got a story for the campaign? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk