Twelve Christmas trees have been stolen from a parish in Christchurch.
(file photo) Photo: 123RF
The Anglican Parish of Heathcote and Mt Pleasant grows trees in a small paddock and sells them as a fundraiser.
But this year the parishioners say someone has helped themselves and left nothing but freshly sawn trunks.
The thefts have happened over the past two weeks.
Parish vicar Mark Sullivan said if the thieves were unable to buy a tree, the parishioners could have helped them.
He was hoping they might join the parish's Christmas services and leave money in the plate.