Hell of a bill as heavens open

Alan Heywood (Church Resources Committee) and Richard Oppong-Boateng (Church Youth Worker) survey the damage

A church is counting the cost of lead thieves after being flooded during a heavy downpour yesterday.

South Chadderton Methodist Church, in Thompson Lane, had £11,000 worth of lead stolen from its roof in two raids last month.

But more damage was done yesterday when rain flooded into the gaps in the church roof causing an extra £1,000 of damage inside the building.

Alan Heywood, from the church resources committee, said: “The rain was just pouring in.

“The carpet is ruined and we’ve had to put buckets all over the place.

“We might not be able to use the church on Sunday.”

The roof was first raided for lead on May 25. Church members were looking to replace it with a synthetic alternative when thieves returned two days later to pick off any remaining lead.

Mr Heywood had just received an £11,000 estimate for repairs when the heavens opened.

He said: “The people who do this don’t understand the damage the theft causes.

“They’re only interested in the lead which they’ll only get £2,000 for.

“We’ve reported the matter to the police but they have said there is nothing they can do.”