Tarpaulins cover the church roof where lead has been taken

Wilford parish church in Nottingham has been hit three times recently and faces a �60,000 bill to replace the lead.

On the last occasion the Reverend David Rowe disturbed two men and gave police a coat, vehicle documents and the registration number of their car.

Police said inquiries were under way and an arrest was expected soon.

Thieves panicked

Mr Rowe said: "We heard there was some movement on the roof. I was walking my dog and decided to come into the graveyard.

"I disturbed a guy with his car, which I thought was strange at that time of night, and then as I was standing there lead came flying off the roof."

This will mean a �60,000 bill to replace the lead and we've not got that kind of money, so that's a big problem for us Reverend David Rowe

The men tried to drive off but "in their panic" left a jacket with a trade card with a name on it, and some tools.

Mr Rowe said the men also "left a trolley with fingerprints on it" and when they got in their car the MoT certificate fell out along with some photographs.

Mr Rowe said the police had told him they had been to a suspect's home on two occasions but no one was in.

"This will mean a �60,000 bill to replace the lead and we've not got that kind of money, so that's a big problem for us."

A police spokesperson said items had been sent off for forensic analysis.

"A number of enquiries are ongoing and police have visited addresses believed to be linked to the offenders.