A CHURCH was damaged during an attempted theft, resulting in oil leaking.

During the night of Sunday, October 10, St Peter's Church in Sturminster Newton was targeted and damaged during an attempted theft of heating oil.

The thief, or thieves, damaged a pipe and caused oil to leak.

North Dorset Police officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact them.

A spokesman for North Dorset Police said: "There has been an attempted theft of heating oil from St Peter's Church in Hinton St Mary overnight on Sunday, October 10. A pipe was damaged in the attempted theft causing the leakage of oil.

"Anyone with any information should contact Dorset Police on 101 or via www.dorset.police.uk/doitonline/ or Crimestoppers 0800 555111 and quote reference number 55210165187."