EMERGENCY repairs are being carried out at a Hampshire church after the theft of lead left rainwater pouring into part of the building.

Intruders scrambled on to the roof of St Mary’s Church in Ringwood Road, Bransgore, after ignoring security measures installed in a bid to prevent materials being taken.

The theft and resulting damage has left the 195-year-old church facing a repair bill running into thousands of pounds.

The vicar, the Rev Dr Ben Sargent, said: “A substantial amount of lead has been stolen from the roof of St Mary’s.

“When it rained heavily last weekend we noticed that lots of water was coming into the office and the kitchen.

“When we inspected the roof we were surprised to see just how much lead had been taken.

“The gullies between the kitchen and the office – and between the kitchen and the hall – have been stripped bare. The stones covering the flashing on the corridor have been dislodged and the flashing taken.

“We don’t know when this took place – it could have been any time in the last few weeks.

“The lead has smartwater on it and we’ve got signs saying so.

“We also have a security camera and a security light but this doesn’t seem to have been a deterrent.”

Dr Sargent said the church was taking steps to line the gulleys “as best we can”.

The thieves are thought to have spent some time removing what he described as “at least a wheelbarrow” full of lead.

He added: “It seems to have been an organised and professional job. They look everything they could without being visible from the road.”

A police spokesman said officers had received a report of lead being stolen, adding: “It is likely to have happened sometime before April 22.” Call police on 101 quoting 44180154061.

It comes five years after a similar theft at All Saints Church in nearby Thorney Hill. Water started pouring into the 107-yearold building after several tonnes of lead were stolen from the roof.