THREE Kent churches have been targeted by thieves and vandals within the space of a few days.

Police say St Nicholas Church in Church Road, New Romney, had 20 small panes of leaded glass windows, included part of a stained glass window, smashed on either Thursday or Friday. The cost of the damage is estimated at about £300.

A brick and small stones were found in the vicinity and it is believed these could have been used to smash the windows.

At St John the Baptist Church in Smallhythe Road, Tenterden, keys were stolen from a cupboard inside the vestry, between 9.30am and 5pm last Saturday. A small amount of damage was caused to a padlock loop which was snapped off.

In another attack, cash and church keys were taken from All Saints' Church in High Street, Biddenden.

A man and a woman were seen to enter the church on Thursday between 2.45pm and 3pm. The man used the lavatory and then they left shortly afterwards at speed.

When the kitchen area was searched it was discovered that the cash and keys were missing.

The woman is described as being about 5ft 7in tall with dark hair. The man was about 6ft tall and aged between 30-40. He had close-cropped hair and was clean shaven. He was wearing trousers and a shirt.