RAIDERS smashed a stained glass window and stole antique communion silver from a Holcombe church - some dating back more than 150 years.

Worshippers at Emmanuel Church were left distraught after the vestry was ransacked and three safes containing the chalices and offertory plates, together with money, were forced open.

Reverend John Armstrong said there was a deep sense of loss among the villagers who have worshipped at the church all their lives.

He said: "A lot of parishioners have described the break-in as though their own homes have been burgled. Some people have taken it quite personally.

"It is a sad sign of the society we are living in today.

"Personally, I am just relieved that the church was not desecrated. It could have been a lot worse."

The culprits hurled a house brick through a stained glass window to gain access to the main body of the church, before forcing their way into the vestry.

Rev Armstrong said: "In financial terms, the actual value of the silver is probably not a large amount but they do carry a greater value in terms of use in the church.

"Among the items stolen were two communion chalices and a communion paten which were bequested to the church in 1853."

All the communion pieces are inscribed with the name of the church and are Alpha Dot security coded - small microchips have been welded to the bases which contain ownership information.

"I believe it would be very difficult for the burglars to sell on the silver so I am hopeful they will do the right thing and return them," said Rev Armstrong.

"In the meantime we have been borrowing communion cups and offertory plates from our sister churches."

If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the offenders or the location of the property they are urged to contact PC Smallwood on 0161 872 5050 or alternatively contact crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.