Church rocked by theft of stones

The thieves climbed scaffolding to get into the building

Thieves have stolen at least 15 ornamental stones worth about £1,000 each from an Edinburgh church.

The made-to-measure stones were part of a £500,000 renovation project at the Augustine United Church.

The unusually-shaped, 140-year-old octagonal tower is being refurbished and it is thought the theft happened during the contractors' summer break.

The thieves are believed to have gained access using higher levels of the scaffolding being used on the tower.

The minister of the church, Reverend Mitchell Bunting, said the theft probably happened sometime last week when he, like the contractors, was away on holiday.

I am shocked that anyone would do this Reverend Mitchell Bunting

Rev Bunting said the stones had only recently been delivered to the church and it was thought that between 15 and 30 stones had been taken.

Rev Bunting said that if the stones were not returned, the church would be thousands of pounds out of pocket.

He told BBC News Online: "I am shocked that anyone would do this. I would urge anyone who knows where the stones are, to return them to us as they are of no use to anyone else.

"They are very unique and were made especially for this church. I don't see what anyone else would use them for."