Reward offered over church bells

Three businessmen are offering a reward of £11,000 for the return of three church bells stolen in Devon.

The bells, worth about £30,000, were stolen from the workshop in Tavistock where they were being restored.

It is hoped the reward offered by the trio, who wish to remain anonymous, may save the bells from being melted down and sold for scrap.

Parishioners from All Saints Church at Merton near Hatherleigh had raised thousands to have them restored.

The three bells, made from 70% copper, were taken on Monday night.

A forklift belonging to the workshop was used to hold open a shutter door while the bells were dragged out.

The vicar of All Saints, the Reverend Christian Merryvale, said parishioners were in a "state of deep shock" over the theft.