St Margaret Church in Blackfordby has been hit by another blow following a bad year which saw its gable end crumble and fall off during during Storm Ciara in February.

Repairs to the church are due to start soon and last until mid-November.

But the church's vicar, Fr Michael Fish, has revealed that some of the masonry that was to have been used for the work has been stolen.

Fr Fish says this has added 'insult to injury'.

But he has issued an appeal for help and says that a large vehicle would have been needed to take the materials away from the church site.

The church was badly damaged in the storm of last winter Part of Blackfordby church falls down in weekend storms.

Fr Fish posted a message on Facebook and said: "Just had a site meeting with contractors, architect et al.

"The work on the church we hope will commence end of this month until mid November.

"HOWEVER, just to add insult to injury we have discovered this morning that the fallen masonry, (behind a secure fence) which we had planned to use for rebuilding the west end, has been stolen!

"If anyone has seen anything over the last few weeks - I would think that it would need a vehicle of some description to shift some sizeable chunks of stone. Contact Fr Michael 01283 229072 or [email protected] Thanks."