The theft of stone from a 13th Century Powys church which was at the site of a battle involving Owain Glyndŵr will cost thousands to replace.

St Mary’s Church in Pilleth near Knighton has been the target of two thefts which have seen the removal of coping stones from a wall which would cost thousands of pounds to replace.

The church has been at the site for centuries with the current structure dating mainly from the 13th century, with the tower from the 14th century, and its single bell from around 1450.

The church was damaged during the 1402 Battle of Pilleth, which saw Owain Glyndŵr defeat the English forces of Lord of the March Edmund Mortimer and is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry IV part one.

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However, it has been restored over the years and in the 1990s the Friends of Pilleth was formed to help raise funds for the restoration and ongoing maintenance.

This culminated in a major works being undertaken from 2002 to 2004, partly funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

Dyfed-Powys Police are now appealing for witnesses to help with their enquiries to catch the thieves.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police have received a report that coping stones have been stolen from a wall at St Mary’s Church, Whitton, Knighton.

“It is believed they were stolen sometime on Saturday December 2.

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“Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101 and quote the reference:  23001219182.

“If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”