A CONCERT will be held to raise funds for a new church roof after thieves stripped it of lead worth £100,000.

Organisers hope the event will raise £1,000 for the £25,000 campaign for St Mary’s, Warkworth.

Thieves hit the isolated rural church on August 25 and 27 and returned to remove the rest of the lead on August 30 or 31.

Church leaders are planning a series of events to replace the roof starting with the concert on Friday, November 25.

Vocal group Impromptu and the Middleton Cheney Hand Bell Ringers will perform for no fee at the concert at All Saints Church in Middleton Cheney.

An application was this week submitted to South Northamptonshire Council for a stainless steel, tile or fibreglass roof.

Church Warden Bob Langton, pictured, said: “We can’t afford to replace the roof with lead, but as the church is so isolated we believe thieves would only strip it again. We’ve already had over £4,000 in donations from well-wishers, some from as far afield as Gloucestershire and also from a successful harvest lunch held in the village.

“It is a tough task to raise the money in such a small community but we are determined to put our church back in good shape as soon as we can.

“Currently we have a blue plastic roof which is just about keeping us dry.”

The concert is at 7.30pm.

A minimum donation of £5 can be made on the door or tickets are available from Mr Langton on 01295 712558 or bob.langton@yahoo.co.uk