A precious and irreplaceable lectern worth thousands of pounds has been stolen from a church.

The thieves damaged the door to St John the Evangelist, in Kingsdown, near Deal, when they broke in between Sunday night and Monday morning.

They took a six foot tall brass lectern, which features an eagle and was covered with semi precious stones.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident, and has been released under investigation.

The stand part of the lectern, which was more than 100 years old, has been recovered, but the eagle section is still missing. Together, they are worth thousands of pounds.

Former church warden Robert Wiseman now fears it will be cut up for scrap metal.

He said: "The church was broken into and ransacked on Monday night/early Tuesday morning.

"A valuable brass lectern with semi precious stones was stolen.

"It's a big beautiful thing, about five to six foot tall.

"The lectern was donated to the church about a hundred years ago, so is irreplaceable.

"We don't want to order another one in case that also gets taken.

"We might just get a wooden one."

As well as breaking in and stealing the lectern, the thieves also tore clothes from the altar and threw them on the floor.

Mr Wiseman, who locks and opens the church each day for visitors, added: "It's just savage. And pointless.

"They also broke into the basement boiler room but the only thing there is the gas central heater."

Church warden Elizabeth Bembridge explained how the thieves would have had to carry the item down a "long, steep path".

She said: "It's extremely heavy.

"They would have had to carry it down the long, steep path, or have used a trolley."

"The worst part about it all, aside from the lectern, is the damage to the old Victorian doors.

"It's infuriating."

The church is part of the Cornelius churches and is led by Rev Canon Seth Cooper.

Officers investigating the burglary are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers are urging anyone who saw anything suspicious, has dashcam or doorbell footage, or has since been offered the lectern for sale, to inform them.

Call 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/82974/22 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form.