by Katie Alston

A thief swiped charity cash from a church while the priest gave a television interview about people becoming disillusioned with Christmas.

The brazen burglar turned up at St James Parish Church in Sheldwich at around 10am on Sunday and told village priest Mike Johnson, that he wanted to find out more about the history of the building.

He signed the visitor book Billy Ross and said it was "very nice". He was neither.

While Rev Johnson was distracted talking to the film crew, the crook headed inside on the hunt for valuables.

He went uninvited into the vestry, opened an unlocked safe and took some bank bags.

They were full of cash donated by those attending festive services throughout the week, including a school nativity. The villain then closed the door and left.

The £541.89 stolen was destined to help revamp the church, which dates back to 1070, and be spent on rewiring and updating facilities.

Rev Johnson, who has been a village priest for 40 years and at St James for 21 years, spent 30 minutes with the film crew commenting on the suggestion that people are becoming disillusioned by the commercialism of Christmas and were looking for a deeper meaning.

The 70-year-old, who is due to retire in February, said: "When I realised what had happened I couldn't believe it.

"It is very sad that someone could be so brazen as to go into a church at this time of the year and steal money.

"I'm upset that it happened on my watch, this person was very opportunist and obviously knew what they were doing, and had probably done the same sort of thing before.

"Churches can barely afford to run themselves these days let alone afford to have money stolen.

"It is very unsettling and I haven't slept very well since.

"The thief took a real interest in the church and was very confident, they were probably feeding a drug habit.

"Their morals certainly went out the window, they were so bold. There was also a cleaner in the church.

"There is no point claiming on the insurance, especially when there is a £500 excess.

"We're not going to start a siege mentality but the situation has certainly heightened my thoughts around security.

"Over the years lead has been stolen from the roof and windows smashed, all the usual things you would expect at a rural church, but nothing as brazen as this.

"I want to let others know so they can keep their wits about them and be on the look out."

• The thief is described as about 5ft 10ins, slim build and in his 40s.

He had short, thick dark hair flecked with grey and was clean shaven. He had no clear accent and was dressed in dark clothes, wearing a small backpack.