Appeal after Baumber St Swithin's Church eagle lectern stolen

A "beautiful" ornate 19th Century lectern in the shape of an eagle has been stolen from a Lincolnshire church.

The oak stand was taken during a break-in at St Swithin's Church in Baumber, near Horncastle, overnight on Saturday.

Cash from a collection was also stolen, Lincolnshire Police confirmed.

Sally Stringer, a member of the church committee, said the thieves had gained "the grand total of £12 and hopefully an artefact they'll never be able to get rid of".

Ms Stringer said the door to the church had been "jimmied".

She added: "It should be a place of peace and quiet, not a toerag's bucket ground, helping themselves to whatever they want."

Ms Stringer described the lectern, which was 5ft (1.5m) tall and 3ft (1m) wide, as "absolutely beautiful".

She added that it "watches over people" in the church.

The lectern was donated by a member of St Swithin's congregation in memory of her son who died in 1891, according to Ms Stringer.

Appealing for its return, she said: "If you have it, leave it somewhere and let me or the police know where it is."

A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson confirmed officers were investigating the theft of the lectern and collection box cash.

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