A SET of antique chairs have been stolen from a village chapel. The theft of the valuable 'smoking' style chairs was discovered shortly before worshipers arrived for the weekly Sunday service at Sardis Baptist Chapel in Llangynidr on May 1. Peter Logan, treasurer of the chapel, who has produced posters appealing for information about the theft of the 19th century Georgian chairs said he is 'gutted' that thieves could target a place of worship. It's feared the five chairs, which could be worth up to £1,000, were stolen to order from the chapel as other items, including a cabinet, were left untouched. "We're gutted that a chapel should be targeted in this way. I feel terrible about it as we have never had this sort of problem before," said Peter: "It's a shame to say that you expect houses to get broken into but to break into a church, I can't find the words for it." The chapel, which has 26 members and was recently refurbished at a cost of £13,000, will now have to pay at least £100 in insurance excess for the chairs as well as consider new security arrangements and repair its main door, which was damaged by the raiders. "The front door has been forced in and the police have suggested fitting alarms so I expect we are going to have to spend a few thousand pounds now, when you used to be able to leave the front door unlocked," added Peter. It's thought the dark wooden chairs have been at the chapel since it was built as Peter says there is no record of the chapel having paid for them: "They are beautiful chairs and lovely to sit in." The chairs were taken sometime between Sunday, April 24 and 8am the following Sunday when the cleaner discovered the chairs were missing. Peter says local people have also reported seeing lights on in the chapel on Wednesday evening. "We're a very active chapel in the village and the sympathy and support we have had from the community has been amazing," added Peter. Anyone with any information about this theft can contact Crickhowell Police Station on 01873 810419 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.