Thieves targeted two churches in a matter of days, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage and fleeing with lead and tiles.

Police are investigating after both the village churches in Preston and Davington were targeted in daylight roof raids.

Centuries-old Kent peg tiles were left damaged by the raiders at St Catherine’s in Preston, where a much-needed restoration appeal is running.

Churchwarden Hilary Tulett says the roof raid, which happened on Thursday, September 21, is the second time the Saxon church has been targeted.

“The thieves tried to get access to the inside of the church but people were in there decorating for the harvest festival,” she said.

“They managed to get to the lead and ripped it out along with some rare tiles. There is now a hole in the roof which needs repairing – it’s a much unneeded expense.”

The second lead theft, from the roof of St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence’s Church in Priory Road in Davington, happened between 12pm on Sunday, September 24, and 8am on Thursday, September 28.

A police spokesman said inquiries have been carried out into both incidents but no suspects have been identified.