Listed building's roof stolen

It will cost £20,000 to replace the roof

Thieves have stolen an entire slate roof from a listed building in Birmingham.

The building on Kingsbury Road, Erdington had been earmarked for conversion into a new administration block for the Salvation Army.

The cost of replacing the roof could be as high as £20,000.

The Salvation Army is concerned it may not be fully insured for the building, which used to be a private house.

Full cover 'unlikely'

It had hoped the administration block would be ready to move into next year.

Spokesman Major Robert Peppiatt, from the Army, said: "We've had a number of calls from members of the public offering their support.

"Some may have seen some action going on, so we are obviously requesting that if any folk saw any action they let the police know.

"The cost of the roof will probably have to be met from our funds.

"We're having to check out our insurance situation but, because it's a Grade II listed building, it's unlikely we will be insured to cover the full amount."