A vicar in Kent is hoping the BBC programme The Repair Shop may be able to help restore a war memorial which was badly damaged after being stolen from her church.

The plaque was one of two World War One memorials taken from Christ Church in Chatham and reported missing last weekend. The memorials commemorate 163 local men who gave their lives.

Police found both plaques in scrapyards in Essex, with one of them significantly damaged. Seven men have been arrested and conditionally bailed. An eighth suspect was arrested yesterday and a Range Rover was also seized.

Priest-in-Charge, Rev Andrea Leonard, said the church community had been devastated at the theft of the plaques but was now “overjoyed” at their return. She has applied to The Repair Shop, but says if the programme is unable to help, she will begin fund-raising to restore the damaged plaque. She’s also currently in contact with the War Memorials Trust.

Posting on Facebook, Christ Church Luton said "Our boys are home!" and expressed appreciation to the police:

"Huge thanks again to our wonderful police for working hard and long to track this down. Sadly it's very damaged, but we will be getting expert advice on how it can be restored. We've even contacted The Repair Shop, just in case they have the right skills."

Kent Police’s officer in the case, PC Alanya Spiller, said:

"Our team have been really focused on recovering these two items that are so special to the Luton community and the relatives of those who gave their lives in the First World War. We are hopeful that the damaged plaque can be fully restored.

"Equally important is the task of bringing those responsible for the theft to justice, and this work continues."