A YORK church has been "sickened" by thieves who stole from a minister and his congregation as they were deep in prayer.

As Reverend Graham Maskery led Sunday service in the United Reformed Church in Priory Street, he never imagined that thieves were rifling through his belongings in the vestry.

His horror upon learning his wallet, credit cards, mobile phone and £215 of holiday money and been snatched was later intensified by the realisation that £300 of charity money had also been stolen.

Congregation member Murray Halliday, 60, raised more than £1,200 by completing the Great North Run last month. He left cash and sponsor forms in a briefcase while he worshipped, intending to collect more pledges from the congregation.

Mr Halliday, of Hunters Way, vowed to run the half marathon after surviving a quadruple heart bypass last year.

"The money was for the British Heart Foundation," he said. "Hopefully that will be replaced by the insurance, but I cannot replace the sponsorship forms. Without them I have no way of proving how much money I raised to the British Heart Foundation.

"I'm having to rack my brain to try and remember who pledged what."

"It's more annoying than anything. I thought it was a secure cupboard. It was definitely an outsider and obviously now we've also got to review church security."

Rev Maskery, who has been at the church for a year, said: "I am pleased no one was hurt and that it was no worse. I felt sicker and sicker as the morning went on. It was bad enough finding out my things had gone, but to then find out Murray's sponsorship had been taken as well - after all his effort in training and then doing the Great North Run."

He said church security would be reviewed, but admitted it was difficult striking the right balance between safeguarding property and ensuring the church was accessible for worshippers.

"It leaves a very sour taste in your mouth. A lot of people nowadays don't have any respect."

Updated: 09:58 Wednesday, October 27, 2004