Police are hunting burglars who raided a church and stole an Elizabethan chalice worth £4,000. 

They forced open the main entrance to St Lawrence Church in Ridgewell between 8.30am on July 4 and the following day. 

Other stolen items included a solid silver communion set dating from 1901, a safe made from gunmetal dating back to the Battle of Waterloo, and various candlesticks.

The total value of goods is thought to be £7,000. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Peter Page at Braintree police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.