BURWELL S ancient parish church is being protected by a revolutionary new paint to stop thieves stripping lead from its roof. St Mary s Church officials have invested £200 in the paint after churches across the district have been targeted by thieves grab

BURWELL'S ancient parish church is being protected by a revolutionary new paint to stop thieves stripping lead from its roof.

St Mary's Church officials have invested £200 in the paint after churches across the district have been targeted by thieves grabbing lead to sell for scrap.

The paint, which is invisible but shows up under an ultra violet lamp, has been painted across the roof of the 15th century building and covers all the church's valuables.

Each bottle of the paint is unique providing an opportunity for police to match up lead and valuables to the church from where they were stolen and the offenders.

Even a pin head size sample could prove vital evidence in securing court convictions.

"We thought this was a relatively small investment to protect the church," said Pat Chalmers, churchwarden.