Thieves pillage historic church

The stolen altar table dated from the Tudor era

The church of St Peter and St Paul, described by Sir John Betjeman as the Westminster Abbey of Suffolk, has been desecrated by thieves.

Several items were stolen from the Anglican church at Haverhill, near the border with Cambridgeshire including a Tudor altar table worth at least £25,000.

Reverend John Ely, the Rector of Kedington, said Queen Elizabeth I had taken communion at the table when she visited the church.

He said several other irreplaceable items were stolen on Friday night, including a hollowed log cast in metal which had once held pennies to be sent to Rome for the poor.

'A national treasure'

Reverend Ely said the log was "absolutely priceless - a national treasure, like so much else in this church."

He said a medieval alms box from the 13th century was ripped from the stone floor, a 17th century chair was taken, and even the brass lamp holders were stolen.

It is believed the items were taken to order to be sold abroad, possibly to a private collector.

St Peter and St Paul is the latest church in East Anglia to be burgled; a number of other churches in the region have also been stripped of their valuables.

One year ago, thieves stole antiques worth £1,350 from the church of St Mary, in Barking, Suffolk, in a similar weekend raid.