WORSHIPPERS at a popular church have been left shaken after a thief stole all of this year's harvest festival money.

The £350 collection - which also included cash donated by mourners at a recent funeral - was taken from a safe at Christ Church, in Wanstead, which had been left unlocked while members of the congregation cleared away bags of donated food.

The thief is thought to have sneaked in through a side door at the church, in Wanstead Place, immediately after the service - before snatching an envelope containing the money.

Canon Robert Springett said extra security measures have been brought in to prevent a repeat of the incident - which happened at about 11am on Sunday October 4.

He said: "What happened was very unfortunate. It is money which is needed to help with the upkeep of the church, which costs about £150,000 a year.

"The money was left unattended for about ten minutes or so while things were cleared away, and was taken from the safe.

"Unfortunately the side door and the safe were both left open.

"I can assure you that we will not allow this to happen again."

A churchgoer, who did not want to be named, described the theft as 'sickening.'

He said: "It defies belief that someone could be so selfish and heartless.

"They obviously knew that the money would be there at that particular time."

Canon Springett said the church would not allow the theft to undermine its celebration of the harvest festival.

He said: "We have all been upset by this, but has not altered us as a church.

"The message behind the festival has not been affected. We have still given thanks to God for all of the things he has given to us."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Ilford police station on: 8478 1123.