When thieves stole an unused church bell from a Watford church, they unwittingly scuppered plans to send it to an African village.

Now after receiving some insurance money as a result of the theft, St Mark's Church, in Leggatts Way, hopes it can still support a Tanzanian church community.

The Church of St Francis of Assisi, in the town of Mapinduzi, Tanzania, currently calls its congregation to services by banging a gas cannister that hangs from a precarious metal structure.

Last autumn, the St Mark's Church committee decided it no longer needed its own bell and arranged for it, through the Keltek Trust, a charity that finds new homes for unwanted church bells, to be sent to Tanzania.

Church members also started a collection to help pay for a new bell tower, in the hope the bell would be ringing earlier this year.

Their plans, however, were destroyed when thieves stole the bell. It is unknown exactly when the bell was stolen but it was discovered missing in January.

Metal was also stolen from the adjacent Callowland allotment after the thieves cut through the fence to gain entry.

Helen Harding, church administrator, said: “We felt we didn't need the bell. The last time it rang was on New Year's Eve for the Millenium because we stopped ringing it for Sunday worship.

“We decided we would find somebody who could use it.”

Through the Keltek Trust, they agreed to sent the bell to Tanzania.

“This bell would have been ideal for them so we had it all arranged,” said Helen.

“I went round there and suddenly saw they had taken the bell.

“We do not want to replace the bell because it seems utterly pointless but we'd like to help them build a bell tower and acquire a bell.

“It was nice to know another place like that was going to benefit from something from here. It's just so sad.”