I am a regular parishioner at St Mary Magdalen Church in Coldean and was both sickened and saddened to learn it had been broken into, yet again, and our newly purchased lawnmower stolen.

Our church has been subject to a great deal of vandalism and break-ins recently and anyone driving down Coldean Lane will see its windows are in a very sorry state indeed.

It will cost a great deal of money to repair the damage. Despite holding many successful community-based fundraising events every year, much of the money we raise has to be needlessly spent on replacing stolen goods or repairing damage to our property.

All we ask is to be able to keep our church and grounds in good order so we can continue our worship in pleasant surroundings. Is that really too much?

-Mary Violet, Ingham Drive, Coldean