Mid Sussex vicars are turning their churches into fortresses this Christmas after a string of burglaries.

There has been a spate of thefts in Burgess Hill, Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks in which valuable and sentimental items have been taken.

The haul includes a silver circular pyx, a box used for carrying the Communion wafer to parishioners who can't get to church.

Some vicars are considering using CCTV and boarding up windows with wire or plastic to stop further break-ins.

Police have arrested a man and released him on bail in connection with a dozen offences. Detectives are anxious to recover the stolen property.

Father Clay Knowles said St John's Church in John's Road, Burgess Hill, was burgled a fortnight ago. A thief broke a panel of a stained glass window and stole some money.

He said: "The last time we were burgled was 18 months ago.

"Someone tried a similar method and found themselves in the church hall from which they could not get out.

"This time they did manage to get in and just clambered over walls and partitions.

"We have got CCTV but it only operates when the church is open. We are going to have to have a review of security but we have not quite decided what to do.

"The windows are all screened against break-ins with wire but they still pull back the wire and get in anyway. We will have to see what we can do."

The Rev Brian Kennard of Burgess Hill Methodist Church, in London Road, whose church was also broken into, said: "This is the first time it has happened for a while.

"Where I used to be in Nottinghamshire it was a very serious problem. We had to have plastic sheeting over the windows to stop them being broken."

Detective Constable Clinton Novelle said they were keen to recover the pyx taken from Holy Trinity Church in High Street, Hurstpierpoint, because it was of great sentimental value to the minister who owned it.

He said: "On the bottom is the maker's name, A R Mowbray, and on the top of the pyx there is a cross engraved within a circle."

He said in another raid a thief had taken a pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks and a seven-branch candlestick called a menorah.

Father John Joyce, owner of the pyx, said: "It belonged to my father, who was a priest. He died before I was ordained but he used it for 30 years and I have used it in the 28 years I have been a priest.

"I think he probably got it when he was a curate in London during the war. It isn't of huge monetary value but I am just very, very sad to have lost something I have used all my life and something he used.

"It is sad that those who steal will steal from anywhere. Theft is horrible and you feel tainted by it having happened to you."

Father Joyce ruled out using CCTV to protect the church because it was too expensive and said the church would stay unlocked in the daytime.

Anyone offered ecclesiastical items is asked contact Detective Constable Novelle at Haywards Heath CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.