A FAMOUS north Wiltshire church has become the latest victim of a spate of damaging lead thefts that are blighting parishes across the country.

Callous metal thieves stripped the lead from the roof of St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham, in an attack that has caused £60,000 worth of damage.

The Grade I listed building was one of the former poet laureate John Betjeman’s most beloved places of worship.

It was famously saved by the artist William Morris, who lived nearby and founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings in the 1880s, because of its internationally significant collection of wall paintings.

The theft has threatened the future of the paintings which date from the 13th century through to the 19th century and are now at risk of water damage.

The loss was discovered by the Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity that looks after the building, during a routine maintenance check.

Meriel O’Dowd, conservation projects manager at the trust said: “We are absolutely devastated to discover such a large lead theft at one of our most beautiful and historically significant churches.

“So that the interior of the church suffers no water damage it is vital that we start work as soon as possible to permanently repair the roof.

“We will now work with our dedicated volunteers and the local community to start raising the funds needed to safeguard this church.”

The charity is looking to raise the £60,000 needed to cover the cost of repairing the damage and installing a new roof.

They are inviting everyone from the community to a meeting at the church at 5pm on Tuesday, June 6 to discuss fundraising projects.

Those who would like to donate to the campaign, can go to visitchurches. org.uk/IngleshamLeadTheft or call 0117 29 1766.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “We were called at 5.30pm on Tuesday, April 11, by a member of the public linked to the church saying that some lead had been stolen from the church roof overnight.

“We are investigating and are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact us via 101”.