Lead sheet was and is an expensive material. Its use in country houses and churches reflects the status of these buildings when they were built. It was used not only for flashings and valleys, but in many cases covered the whole surface, folding and soldering enabling a weather-tight seal.

The problem with the current spate of thefts of metal from roofs is that the reward for the thieves, though enhanced by the high price for scrap, is insignificant compared with the cost of replacement and repairs to damage which have to be met by the owners of the buildings, who even if insured are often not in a position to meet sudden expenses like that - hence the closure of affected churches and the abandonment of other listed buildings.

A handsome copper-roofed church here in Fleetwood (built 1950s) has suffered a series of thefts like this in recent weeks despite being in a prominent, open position.

Ross