POLICE are appealing for information about a church burglary in which a distinctive brass lectern worth £30,000 was stolen.

Intruders broke into St Mary’s the Virgin Church at The Street, High Easter, by forcing a wooden door. The break-in, which was discovered last Thursday (May 30), is believed to have happened in the early hours of that morning.

The brass lectern – which is Victorian, about 5ft high and has the figure of an eagle at the top – has an estimated replacement value of about £30,000. Several hundred pounds of damage was caused to the door.

Up to four men are thought to have been involved in the theft and police say a lorry or van could have been used to carry away the lectern.

Officers want to hear from anyone who heard or saw any suspicious activity at the church during the night of May 29-30. Information about anyone trying to sell the lectern is also being sought.

Anyone with information about the burglary or the whereabouts of the stolen lectern should contact detectives at Saffron Walden CID on 101.