Wycliffe’s historic St Mary’s has become the latest church to be targeted by thieves.
Churches in Staindrop, Gainford and Barnard Castle were all subject to burglaries in September last year.
Thieves have made off with an antique donation box which was attached to the wall of the church’s porch.
Churchwarden Keith Miller said the donation box was about 150 years old.
He added: “It has just been torn off. The irony of it is there was very little money in it – the box was opened very regularly and so I would be very surprised if there was £10 or £20 at most.”
The churchwarden was surprised by the theft because of the rural nature of the church.
He said: “It is not as if there are a lot of signs pointing to the church. It makes one feel insecure, and this is a much-loved and respected building by most people in Teesdale.”
