5 December 2011 Last updated at 09:05 ET

Fakenham Parish Church window smashed in charity theft

It is estimated the window at St Peter and St Paul's will cost £3000 to repair

Thieves smashed through a stained glass window causing thousands of pounds of damage so they could steal £200 from a church's Christmas charity collection.

The break-in at Fakenham Parish Church, Norfolk, was discovered on Sunday.

"We'd have given the £200 to the people if they were in need, but why did they have to break a beautiful window," said the Rev Adrian Bell.

It is estimated the window will cost £3,000 to repair. It will be paid for from Christmas collections.

Although shocked at the theft during the church's Christmas tree festival, Mr Bell said he would like to see the thieves give something back to the community.

"The festival is all about helping small charities and to think people are taking money out of tubs for that beggars belief.

"I'd love for the people who've done this to pay the money back and then work on next year's festival as a volunteer and do something practical, some real community work, to help the charities they've robbed from this year."

The window was originally restored as part of a £26,000 glazing project in the Grade I-listed building. Police are investigating the robbery.

Despite the theft the annual event is on track to be the most successful in its 10-year history with organisers predicting to raise £20,000 for charitable causes.

The Christmas Tree Festival is open until Thursday.