Headstones are destroyed by metal thieves

Thousands of pounds of damage has been caused at a Black Country church after vandals ripped off roof tiles and damaged headstones.

Metal thieves are thought to be responsible for the destruction at St Peter's Church in Greets Green, West Bromwich.

The church in Whitehall Road is now facing a £15,000 repair bill.

Warden June Beighton, aged 61, said: "They got on to the porch roof at the entrance to the church and pinched the cast iron piping.

"They have kicked the coping stones and then they have got on to the church roof and kicked some more stones off that have landed on the remembrance garden and have smashed the granite stones that have ashes planted underneath them."

Mrs Beighton said members now had to break the news to the families of those whose stones were damaged.

Anyone with information should contact officers at West Bromwich police station on 0345 113 5000.