THIEVES stole lead from a Newport church roof which will now cost thousands of pounds to replace.

The Rev Edward Mathias-Jones discovered the theft when he arrived at St Stephen's Church, Pill, on Monday afternoon.

This is the second time the church has been hit with a lead theft in the past three years.

Although services can still continue at the church for the time being, FrMathias-Jones said he would have to continue monitoring the situation and that it was now a high priority to get it replaced.

He estimated this would cost a four figure sum.

The Argus reported in September 2008 how lead had been stolen from the roof of the church leaving the congregation devastated.

The church, which is also used by cormmunity groups, is insured but it still cost thousands of pounds to replace it.

Father Mathias-Jones said: "I don't know how they have managed to take it but a strip running three quarters the length of the roof has been stolen.

“This building as 126 years old and already needs lots of TLC. We have already done work on the interior of the church and this just causes inconvenience.

“I just find it so frustrating and I cannot think of anything lower than to take lead from a church root let alone any other building.”

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said they had received a call on Monday at 3.30pm reporting the theft of lead from the church roof.

The theft is believed to have happened sometime between May 7 and 2pm on May 9.

Anyone with any information T asked to call Gwent police on 101