A churchwarden has spoken of her sadness at the theft of brass crucifix, worth £350, which had been used for communion at St Matthew's church in Otterbourne for over 25 years.

"It's quite distressing," said Rachel Cannon. "We are going to tighten security by getting more locks for the doors.

"Everyone has looked in the churchyard and the surrounding areas to see if the thieves discarded it anywhere, but we could not find it. We do have another cross we can use during services - but it's not the same."

The 12in brass cross, together with its plinth, which is engraved with a scroll motif, was taken at the weekend.