LEAD thieves have struck again at an ancient Birmingham church which has fought a survival battle.

A gang ripped £5,000 worth of metal from the roof of the north aisle at 700-year-old St Edburgha’s in Yardley under the cover of darkness – and then returned a week later to take the rest.

Worshippers at the Grade I-listed church have been raising money for emergency repairs amid fears the spire could collapse within two years.

The two thefts, on Sunday night and Monday last week, follow an identical crime last August.

Church warden John Seeley said replacing the lead would eat in to the repair fund for work on the tower and spire.

“It’s a kick in the teeth when we are trying to safeguard the church for years to come,” he said.

“We were just about to start replacing the last lot that was stolen when the workmen noticed from the spire that more was missing.

“It looks like they took one half and then decided to come back for the rest.