A Suffolk church is taking the first steps on a long road to repair its roof after it was targeted by lead thieves last week.

St Mary’s Church in Combs, near Stowmarket, held a public meeting on Monday evening to discuss a way forward, as well as give an update on the current situation.

Around £3,000 worth of lead was stolen from the roof of St Mary’s Church in Combs, with the incident believed to have taken place overnight on Sunday, August 23. Repairs could cost between £100,000 and £150,000.

On Monday afternoon, an alarmed scaffold was erected before work was due to start on constructing a temporary roof from where the lead was stripped off.

Members of the parochial church council (PCC) hope the temporary roofing, which is due to be completed today, will last for four to five years.

Hayley Homyer, PCC member, said once the roof had been completed, the scaffolding would be taken down to deter “unwanted visitors.”

She added: “We had a great attendance to our public meeting, around 80 people came in from the local area.

“Reverend Chris Childs explained the church’s situation and from the meeting we have formed a new fundraising sub committee.”

The sub-committee will is made up of people from the local area, church members and PCC members.

She added: “It was a really positive evening, to which we pray and hope only good can come from this horrible situation. We would like to thank everyone who came to the meeting and all the cards, messages and donations we have received so far, we have had lots of fundraising ideas sent in and offered already.”

She also thanked those who helped after discovering the theft and said prayers for the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Lavenham, which was also targeted by lead thieves last week,.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.