A VILLAGE church has resorted to installing security cameras amid growing concern about the security of rural churches.

A new report has revealed that thefts from churches are a growing problem with 3,600 reported last year.

Rural churches in the Swindon area have provided rich pickings for thieves in recent years.

At Purton Parish Church a priceless 17th century painting of The Last Supper was stolen from behind the altar.

And at St Mary's in Fairford thieves stole a 700-year-old carved wooden seat and a 16th century wall brass last August.

To tackle the problem Fair-ford vicar the Rev John Willard has now had a CCTV camera installed in the church porch.

And he has also employed the services of 46 volunteer church watchers.

Local people take turns to watch over the church enabling it to stay open to the public throughout the week.

The most costly theft in recent years from a church in the Swindon area was a burglary at Purton parish church in 1994.

Professional art thieves stole the Last Supper painting after breaking down the locked front door.

In 1999 the painting was recovered by the FBI in the United States and it is currently being restored in Bristol.

Vicar of Purton, the Rev Brian Fessey, said he is determined not to let thieves close the church.

He said: "At times like this when people are worried sick about a possible war they need a place of prayer.

"People have been coming in here and praying when they want to for 900 years and they will continue to do so."

It seems to be rural churches rather than those in Swindon's urban area which are most at risk.

Area dean for Swindon, Rev Michael Johnson, said: "I think we've been very fortunate in this area because there have been no significant thefts or large amounts of vandalism.

"I'm not aware of any significant problems."