THIEVES have targeted a picturesque market town church for the second time in eight weeks.

Offertory boxes inside All Saints' Church, Helmsley, were forced open by sneak thieves sometime between 8.30am and 6pm on Tuesday.

Only a handful of small change was stolen, but padlocks on all four offertory boxes must now be replaced.

The Rev David Wilbourne, Vicar of All Saints', said it was depressing to think how low the thieves had stooped.

"We have an intercession book where people can write their prayers in," he said.

"People have written in prayers for a mother having chemotherapy, a child orphaned when its parents drowned at sea, a daughter and son-in-law coming to terms with their stillborn child, and a marriage on the rocks.

"These are the people they are stealing from, the people who come in with such heartfelt desires for help.

"It makes me really cross."

In May the collection boxes were forced open and about £10 was taken - the boxes are emptied regularly and only ever contain a small amount of cash, he explained.

Thieves also targeted All Saints' Church, in Kirkbymoorside, stealing only small change, but seriously damaging a large safe built into the wall.

Mr Wilbourne said despite the repeat attack, he was determined to keep the church open to visitors.

"It is just marvellous to keep All Saints' open as a resource to pray and to allow visitors to look around such a beautiful building.

"The sneak crimes do happen every so often and it is depressing really, but we will stay open."

He said he had written a letter to the parish explaining how All Saints' desperately needed help from local residents.

"We really do need people to come forward and offer to be on a welcome duty," he said.

The volunteers would act as a deterrent to any opportunist thieves, and would also be able to act as guides for visitors new to the church.

Anyone interested in becoming a welcomer should phone Mr Wilbourne on 01439 770236.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, July 18, 2003