Worshippers were left disappointed after baby Jesus disappeared from their church’s nativity scene.

The figure is part of a feature which has been put up outside St Mark’s Church in Pysons Road, Ramsgate, every year for more than 10 years.

It was taken some time after Christmas morning.

Volunteers at the place of worship realised it had been taken when they went out to move the scene.

Every day the nativity figures are moved to show the journey to the stable of the three wise men and the shepherds.

While the incident has not been reported to the police, a minister has urged those responsible to go and talk to her.

'It is a shame because there is no reason to steal, we are a church, if you need anything come to us and if we have it, it is yours' - Sue Cox, church minister

The minister at St Mark’s Church, Sue Cox, said: “It is a huge thing and they are all painted black so they stand out.

“We have been doing this for 10 to 12 years I think now and parts of the scene travel from the top of Pysons Road right down to the church so they are close by at Christmas.

“It is not worth reporting to the police.

“I think they were just taken because it was there.

“It is a shame because there is no reason to steal, we are a church, if you need anything come to us and if we have it, it is yours.

“I think it must have been taken late at night or something like that because we only noticed it in the morning.”

Mrs Cox said that this was the first year there had been a problem with the display.

A lantern was also taken from the site.

Mrs Cox added: “It is just annoying for something like this to happen.”

It comes as the church is trying to raise £13,000 to have a new kitchen fitted.

New cooking facilities are needed so that food can be prepared for the public when functions are held.