A number of old York stone gravestones have been stolen from a church.

Police are currently dealing with the incident, which took place at St Andrew's Church in Leyland and are asking for anyone with information to come forward. 

The theft occurred overnight on Thursday and officers say a van was seen on the church's car park at around 12.30am.

Some of the stones stolen are from the 1800s.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We are dealing with an incident of theft at St Andrew's Church in Leyland where a number of old York stone gravestones have been stolen.

"A van was seen on the car park for the church at 00.30 hours overnight, some of the stones that have been stolen are from the 1800's and those families are still local to the area so this must be upsetting for them."

If anyone has any further information that may help please call 101 and quote incident 0401 of the January 14.