THIEVES have struck at a Ramsbottom church for the third time in three months.

Criminals have stolen 20 flagstones from the churchyard at Emmanuel Holcombe in a serious of overnight thefts.

In the latest incident, 12 flags were stolen from the church, in Carrwood Hey, Holcombe Brook, on Wednesday night or Thursday morning last week.

The original flags date back to when the church was built in the 1850s. Those stolen in previous weeks were replaced with similar stones paid for on the church's insurance but the vicar now fears the path may have to be abandoned to the thieves.

The Rev John Armstrong said: "It would be a shame if we had to replace the path with concrete after 150 years, and it would be out of keeping with the church and the village conservation area, but we can't go on replacing flagstones every few weeks just for them to be stolen again.

"It's very frustrating. I don't think the stones are worth very much in monetary value but they are worth a lot aesthetically. I don't doubt that some people would like them for their gardens but it's particularly mean-spirited to take them from a community building like the church."

Police believe the thefts could be the work of a rogue trader, who could typically charge customers £20 a flag.

Inspector Bryn Williams said: "Unfortunately it seems not even churches are exempt from theft in this day and age. These crimes are sporadic and the stones are difficult to trace once they've been removed from the site.

"I would ask anyone who sees any suspicious activity around the church to contact police immediately."

Anyone with information can contact police on (0161) 856 8181 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.