STOLEN on the night of the 29th/30th November 2006

An irreplaceable pair of 120 year old candlesticks worth thousands of pounds have been stolen from our church. The antique brass work which was donated to Stockton Parish Church in 1893 by a parishioner in memory of his wife, was taken along with three large copper finials from our lectern. The total value of the items is estimated at £10,000. Thieves broke into the church through a side door on the evening of the 29th/30th November and the theft was discovered the following morning. The two heavy, 3ft candlesticks had been taken from the main altar of the church and the finials unscrewed from the lectern. Church warden Pat Cummins said: "Part of the town's history has been stolen. Everyone at the church is horrified." Detective Inspector Paul Beddow described the act as a "mean theft" and urged anyone with information to contact Stockton Police on 01642 302226 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Parish Church on 01642 611734 or 07855 868110