A mid Norfolk church has been hit by lead thieves for the second time in three months, costing a small village community £50,000.

It follows a spate of leads thefts from Norfolk churches.

St Peter and St Paul Church in Carbrooke, near Watton, was hit some time between 4pm on Wednesday and 8am on Thursday.

It is estimated that approximately £2,000 worth of lead was stolen.

After lead thieves targeted the church in the middle of August, plans are being made to replace the lead roof on the south aisle with a steel one.

The Rev Jane Atkins said: 'I felt sick when I came into the church on Thursday to find out this has happened again.

'We were looking at a cost of about £30,000 to replace the roof but this latest theft means it will now be about £50,000.

'This money will come from a small handful of church goers.'

The EDP reported yesterday how a large amount of lead was stripped from St Botolph's Church in Grimston, near King's Lynn some time between 3.40am and 3.55am on Monday.

These latest crimes come less than two months after lead was stolen from St Lawrence Church in Harpley and 20 sheets of lead were stolen from the roof of St Peter and Paul's Church in Watlington.

Several other Norfolk churches have also been targeted by lead thieves this year.

Ms Atkins said: 'There had been a bit of a lull with lead thefts but the thieves seem to have found a new outlet so it's happening again.

'We've got services coming up for Christmas and we can't use one side of the church.

'It's just horrible this happening all the time and I feel for the people here in the community.

'It's not fair that a small group of people has to pick up the costs of this.'

Anyone with information about should contact the Watton Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Has your church been targeted by thieves? E mail newsdesk@archant.co.uk