“Hopefully, Baby Jesus will be returned”

The "stable" lies empty after Baby Jesus was kidnapped from the front lawn at St Peter's Church in Galashiels.

The theft of the saviour was discovered today at St Peter’s Episcopal Church in the town’s Abbotsford Road.

Karen Ellis, a member of the vestry at the church told us: “We discovered today that our nativity scene has been vandalised.

“The roof of the stable has been prised off and the crib and baby Jesus stolen.

“This happened overnight, Thursday to Friday.

“The other two figurines of Mary and Joseph were undamaged, however, they have been removed as the stable needs to be repaired.”

St Peter’s has displayed the scene in the run up to Christmas for many years, and it is enjoyed by many who pass by, especially the school children.

The rector at the church, Reverend Simon Cake, said: “It’s very sad that this sort of thing has to happen.

“Whoever it is has damaged the stable and nicked Baby Jesus.

“Hopefully, Baby Jesus will be returned, but in the meantime, we will put in a temporary Baby Jesus in the shape of a doll, with a cardboard box for a crib.

“In all the years we have been putting out the nativity, this is the first time this has happened.”

The incident was reported to the police.

If anyone has any information about the incident, or knows where Baby Jesus is, please contact the rector Rev Simon Cake on 07710 523856.