A vicar has spoken of his disappointment after burglars stole cash from a 13th-century Suffolk church and caused “very costly” damage to the building.

The burglary at All Saints Church in Newmarket happened sometime beteen 8.30pm on Sunday, September 9, and 9.15am on Monday, September 10.

Thieves broke into the church, in All Saints Road, by smashing a valuable Victorian arched stained glass window and rummaged around inside the building.

The church bookshop cupboard and a donations box were broken into and around £40 was stolen.

Police are appealing for witnesses or information to the incident.

Reverend Max Osborne said: “It is very disappointing of course for this damage to be done to a building in Newmarket which means so much to so many people past and present.

“But I feel more concerned for the person or persons who did this.

“All Saints Church sits at the heart of our community and caters to young and old and especially the most vulnerable.”

Reverend Osborne added the damage to the stained glass window would be “very costly” to repair but the matter was now in the hands of insurers.

Witnesses or anybody with any information are asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 52905/18.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Another church in Newmarket was also targeted the following night.

Thieves broke into St Mary’s Church in Church Lane in the town sometime between 9pm on September 10 and 10.20am on September 11, and cash was stolen from inside.

Anyone with information about the St Mary’s incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 53580/18.

Last month, another west Suffolk church suffered damage to a stained glass window.

The stained glass at St Mary’s Church in Badwell Ash, near Walsham-le-Willows, was damaged by a suspected air rifle in a spate of criminal damage in the village.

Around 12 vehicles were also targeted - in what is believed to have been a BB or pellet air rifle attack overnight between Friday, August 17, and Saturday, August 18.