CHEEKY thieves have taken liberties by stealing a two hundredweight bell worth £2,000 from St Mary's Church in Lowton.

Now police are hoping they make a clanger so they can be tracked down.

The thieves took advantage of restoration work being carried out at the church to climb 40 feet to the tower and drop the 18 inch by 15 inch historic bell which has pealed to parishioners since 1862.

Now the Rev. Bob Britton, Vicar of St Mary's, is hoping someone will come forward and offer information on the whereabouts of the bell which he is convinced was stolen to order.

Made by Walker's of London, the bell was completed in 1860 and installed two years later. Its weight made a deep impact in grass next to the church where it was obviously dropped.

Mr. Britton said: "I think the thieves obviously had a pick-up truck or something similar to take the bell away. It was very heavy and was certainly not stolen by opportunist thieves, but rather, I believe, to order.

"Of course it could be melted down by now, particularly as I think it was made of bronze, but I hope not. I hope someone will be able to answer my 'appeal' and tell me where it is!"

Det. Insp Ian Foster of Leigh CID added: "I think this is the first stolen church bell I have heard of."

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Leigh Police on 0161 856 7243 or Mr. Britton on 01942 607705.

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