CHURCH leaders in Haworth have been left puzzled and saddened by a “bizarre” theft.

At least a dozen large candles, including a symbolic Advent light symbolising the birth of Jesus Christ, were stolen from Haworth Parish Church in Main Street some time between Friday morning and 9am Sunday.

Priest-in-charge, the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith, said the theft meant a Brontë Carol Service on Sunday – which was meant to have been candle-lit – had to go ahead with more modern illumination instead.

“They’ve taken about 12 to 15 of the bigger, more expensive candles,” he added. “What really upsets people is they’ve stolen what is known as the Christ Candle, which is at the centre of the Advent wreath and is lit to represent the coming of Jesus Christ. Having that stolen has struck a chord with people.

“The other larger candles were on the window sills – they left the smaller ones behind.”

Mr Mayo-Smith said the church had quickly replaced the stolen items in order to be ready for the annual torchlight procession carol service this Sunday.

He added: “We keep the church open because we want visitors to Haworth to be able to come inside. I feel more sad than anything else. It’s a shame someone has stooped to this level – it shows a lack of respect.”

Church warden, Diane Wilson, who first noticed the candles were missing, said: “To steal candles from a church just seems ridiculous. Yesterday in the church we prayed for the person who stole them. Myself and my husband have been here for 45 years and nothing like this has happened before.”

The church will again host the carol service at the end of the popular Haworth torchlight procession at 5pm on Sunday.

The procession itself begins at the bottom of Main Street at 4.30pm. Participants will slowly wend their way up the street carrying electric candles and singing Christmas carols accompanied by choirs and bands.

Saturday is Candlemas Eve in Haworth. Santa will lead the torchlight procession down Main Street at 3pm accompanied by the Holly Queen, Morris dancers, choirs and bands, finishing with carols around the street’s Christmas tree.