DRASTIC security measures are to be put in place at a Redditch church following a spate of break-ins over the last year.

Christchurch Anglican Methodist Church in Matchborough has been targeted three times in the last 12 months and in each burglary, musical and electrical equipment has been taken.

But now the Ryton Close church is fighting back and reinforced doors and windows, an alarm and a "strong" room are some of the security measures being put into place.

Church warden Marilyn Bishop said: "We are about to put in a strong room where we will put all the musical equipment.

''It will have a roller shutter down the front and it will be even more difficult to get in to."

Mrs Bishop said the siting of the church was a problem because people were so used to noise from the centre they would not alert police.

She said: "We have looked at a number of options and we've considered putting cameras up too.

''But we don't know how feasible this would be. There is a limit to how much we can spend on security."

Mrs Bishop added: "Everyone within the church family has been affected and it always falls on a few to clear up the mess.

"It's frustrating because of the extra work it causes and it means we can't concentrate on our specific jobs."