LEADERS at a church in Darwen were stunned when they discovered the bell had been stolen from its tower.

The large bronze bell was taken from St Mary’s Church, Roman Road, near Edgworth, at some point overnight on Monday.

It is thought the theft must have been pre-planned and involved a number of people, due to the sheer weight and size of the object being taken.

According to a police spokeswoman, the bell is thought to be worth about £3,000 in scrap value.

A church spokeswoman who did not wish to be named said: “We are upset about it.

“They have broken in through the front door and it looks like they have been on the roof to get into the bell tower.

“They have then lowered it down through the roof.

“It will cost a lot to replace, but these things happen don’t they?

“It is terrible what these people will do.”

The spokeswoman said that the church has a regular congregation of about 14.

PC Phil Hambley, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “This was a pre-planned theft and it would have taken a number of people and a vehicle to remove the bell, so I would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at all to let us know.

“It is most likely that this has been stolen for its scrap metal value and so I would also urge any scrap metal dealers in the surrounding areas to be vigilant and to call police if they have any information that could help.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the police by calling 101 and then quoting the log number, which is LC-20120424-0403.