A village church is looking like its old self following repairs to stolen lead roofing.

All Saints Church, in Hacheston, near Framlingham, was targeted by criminals on three occasions in recent years – the last theft taking place in August 2011 and leaving a repair bill of about £30,000.

The roof was covered by tarpaulin to prevent further damage to the interior, including the church organ, but lead has since replaced with a new zinc alloy, thanks to grants from the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and the parish council, as well as money raised from events like the flower festival and a concert by Andrew Stannard and Neil Lanham’s traditional music act, The Bumpstead Boys.

Michael Dawe, secretary of the parochial church council, said that, when weathered, the metal should look no different to lead but will be less attractive to thieves.

New scrap metal laws should also act as a further deterrent.