A heartbroken vicar says thousands of pounds are needed to repair a local church after lead thieves struck twice in one week.

Crooks took lead from the entrance porch at All Saints' Church, Silkstone, before returning three nights later to strip the vestry roof.

Rev Maureen Browell, vicar of Hoylandswaine and Silkstone, said the cost of repairs will run into four figures and, because church lead has been stolen before, insurance is unlikely to cover it.

"Although the stolen lead will be sold for only a few hundred pounds, the damage is likely to run into thousands," Rev Browell said.

"It's heartbreaking to see the aftermath of lead theft. Thefts like this damage the whole community; our church is well supported both locally and more widely – you only have to look in our visitors’ book each week to see the extent of that support."

The thefts, on the nights of March 26 and 29, caused internal and external damage.

Despite the thefts, services continued as normal, with a wedding on Saturday and Easter service on Sunday.

However, the church was left with another large bill after the boiler broke on Easter Sunday, leaving it beyond repair.

Church members will now discuss how to cover the cost of repairs, as well as decide on improvements to existing church security.