GENEROUS readers of the Wiltshire Times have come to the aid of All Saints Church in Brokerswood, after burglars broke into the church and stole three oil lamps that had lit the church since the 1950s.

The lamps, which were given to the church by a parishioner, were reported stolen to the police at the end of November by the Friends of All Saints, which is known as the Tin Church.

The Times ran a report appealing for information about the incident, which resulted in a woman from Southwick contacting the Friends to offer three oil lamps.

The church, which has been on the site for more than 100 years and was recently Grade-II listed, has no mains water, gas or electricity, so light is only supplied by the oil lamps and candles.

Secretary for the Friends John Croft said: “Wiltshire Times readers have responded magnificently. A lady from Southwick rang immediately to offer her three oil lamps.

“We have also had three lamps donated by Simon Burke, who is director of Doodle Oak Vintage in Shaftesbury, after he saw the story online.

Together with authentic replacements we have purchased on eBay, the church will be superbly well lit for Christmas services.

“As there is no gas or electricity at the church, the theft was devastating, especially as the oil lamps are not particularly valuable.

“It was disheartening for the Friends and we were very angry.

“However, it was wonderful for people get in touch and offer replacements and now the church will be one of the best lit in the county.”

Police are still investigating the theft of the original lamps, but the Friends have confirmed that the new lanterns will not be stored at the church when it is not in use.

The building, put up in Brokerswood in 1904, has been sympathetically maintained and repaired over the years and is still used regularly.

Mr Croft added: “We have our Christmas Eve carol service coming up and it is always a lovely event, so it’s great we have new lamps in time for that.

“The Friends of the Tin Church are very grateful to Wiltshire Times readers for their generosity and we want to wish all of them a very happy Christmas.”