COMPUTERS and equipment worth thousands of pounds were stolen when thieves broke into a Bury church.

Members of the Freedom Church found a door had been pulled from its hinges when they arrived for an early morning prayer meeting at 5.40am last Wednesday.

Thieves had searched through the building and taken many items, including several laptop computers, a Nintendo Wii games console, video cameras, projectors, keys to a safe, cash and food.

Most of the stolen goods were found by a member of the church hidden under a van parked outside the building in Bright Street, Bury.

But three laptop computers are still missing and it is feared many of the recovered items could be damaged after getting wet in the rain.

Kathryn Durham, a senior pastor at the church, said: “When we initially found out the church had been broken into, it was a big shock.

“Because it was so early in the morning, I think the people who did this were intending to come back for the rest of the things and were disturbed. We are pleased to have recovered some of the items and hopefully they will still work.”

Work has already been carried out to step up security and repair the door damaged when the thieves broke in.

The police are investigating the burglary, but no arrests have yet been made.

Mrs Durham said: “The police have been absolutely superb. They were here for a couple of hours after the burglary and have been really helpful.

“They are increasing their presence in the area to provide extra support and security.”

Anyone with information about the burglary can contact Bury East neighbourhood policing team on 0161 856 8127 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.