A church in central Kenya is asking people to be on the look-out for its 500kg (about eight-stone) bell that was stolen during a break-in last week.

The Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Ngecha area of Kiambu, a county to the north of the capital, Nairobi, told local media that it reported the theft to the police after it was discovered missing.

The Standard newspaper tweeted a photo of the bell.

Worshippers have complained that the ban on religious gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in robberies at churches, and they urged police to provide security, The Standard reports.

The church is also said to have lost 10 bottles of altar wine, a public address system and other items in a break-in a week before the theft of the copper bell.