A CHURCH undergoing £900,000 of works has had its copper piping stolen.

Thieves climbed the scaffolding outside St John The Evangelist Church, in Langdon Hills, to steal the metal.

The police helicopter and dog unit were drafted in to find the thieves at about 8.45pm on Sunday, but to no avail.

It happened during a huge project to extend the play group facilities at the church.

Work is under way to expand the play group from 60 to 80 places for toddlers aged between two and five.

There will also be a meeting room, offices, a kitchen and a toilet added as part of the build.

Sandra Hillier, Basildon councillor for Langdon Hills, said: “It’s such a great shame. The church does so much for the local community.

“Great Berry is an isolated little community in itself in as much as there’s only one road in and one road out.

“St John’s is almost the focus for the local residents and they have been working so hard to get that extension built for the play group, which is very popular.”

Mrs Hillier said it was a “major set-back” for the building project, funded by the county council.

She added: “This is going to make things very difficult for them. I would urge anyone who knows anything to get in contact with the police.”

Anyone with information can call Basildon police on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.