100-year-old Dudley church bell is snatched

Metal thieves have stolen a historic bell that had rung out at a Dudley church for more than 100 years.

They lowered the bell from the 35ft high frame on the wall of St Mary the Virgin Church in Hurst Hill, near Sedgley.

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The theft was discovered by churchwardens as they prepared for a special event to mark the church's 140th anniversary on Sunday.

Church leaders today said they feared the thieves would sell the bell for scrap.

Long-serving Sedgley councillor David Caunt said he was shocked by the theft.

"Churches used to be sacrosanct but not anymore it seems," he added.

The cost of replacing the bell, expected to be around £1,000, will be covered by insurance but the church will have to pay an excess of £500.

It was made from gunmetal, which is an alloy of copper, tin and zinc.

Church organist Nick Fanthom said: "It's very sad. I presume they wanted to sell it to make some money.

"They would have needed a van or a lorry to take it away."

The Rev Stephen Buckley described the theft as "very distressing".

"The churchwardens went to check the bell because they were going to ring it for our anniversary service and they discovered it had gone," he said.

Churchwarden Graham Roberts said it was "a great shame".

The church had used SmartWater to security- mark the premises, so leaders are hoping the thieves will be traced. Police are now investigating the theft, which follows other reports of metal being stolen from churches in the borough.

By Heather Large