A 140 year-old Scottish church which is currently being refurbished has had its roof stolen before it had a chance to be put up, reported Peeblesshire News.

Returning to work after another long summery bank holiday break, builders found the fence to the worksite had been opened and up to £200 worth of lead that was to be used for the roof missing from the site, suggesting better security fencing is needed.

Gary Marshall, of building contractor John Dennis, said: "They've disconnected the fencing and climbed up three flights of scaffolding to take the lead. They would have had to have made two or three trips to get it all down."

Marshall, who is the site agent, added that they had bought some "chains and padlocks to better secure the fencing in the future".

Located in Innerleithen, on the Scottish Borders, the church is undergoing a £1 million restoration programme, which will see a new roof as well as the development of a kitchen and toilets.

Elsewhere, a church in Puddletown, a village in Dorset, has been targeted three times this year for its valuable lead.

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