A parish has been left shocked after a burglary saw a rare Saint Mellitus gold medal, awarded by a bishop to one of the church's most devoted and now late followers, stolen.

Police were made aware of the break in at Saint Andrews Church, in Harrow Road, Sudbury, on Friday, with the losses including a Saint Mellitus gold medal, awarded to Pat Henderson, the formal pastoral assistant at the church.

A 100-year-old stain glass window was smashed during the burglary, with the church's safe having £400 in cash stolen.

Jenny Large, the lay pastoral assistant at the church, said: "The medal means a lot to the family of Pat. She was awarded it by the Bishop while she was battling terminal cancer, so obviously we want to find if anyone knows anything.

"Anyone who buys gold, a pawn shop for example, if they have any information if they could please tell the please because it means a great deal."

The break in happened between 8pm on Friday and 7.45am on Saturday.

A police spokeswoman said: "The door to the church office had been forced and damaged and the safe was found open, and a small gold St Mellitus and some cash had been stolen from the safe."

If you can provide police with any information in relation to this crime police call Brent Police on 101.

Alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.