A HISTORIC 130-year-old clock has been stolen from the St Nicholas Church in Cherington.

The clock was discovered to be missing by churchwarden John Bate-Williams on Sunday, October 30. It is thought that the clock may have been lost sometime between October 16 and 30.

The wall clock, a memorabilia of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, had been in Cherington Church of England School for about 82 years until it closed in 1969.

It was then donated to the church and had been kept on the bell tower wall for the last 47 years.

The clock is 32cm in diameter and has the words 'JUBILEE 1887' painted in red in the centre of the face along with the name of the maker, 'TANNER, CIRENCESTER' in black capitals. The numbers are roman numerals, and at the base of the clock there is a carving of flowers backed by a shield shape.

Churchwarden John said: "I realised the clock was missing on Sunday when we had morning service.

“The clock has been in the village for almost 130 years and it is very sad that someone has taken advantage of our lovely church being kept open each day and stolen an item which is so important in the history of our village.

“For many years, we’ve been one of the few churches to open everyday for people to enjoy it, because it is a wonderful medieval church. We’re now having to keep the church locked until we make security arrangements."

He asks Standard readers to keep an eye open for the distinctive clock, and hopes for its safe return.