A MAN from Oldham has been arrested on suspicion of theft a month after paving stones were stolen from a church in Cheshire.

The 48-year-old was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation by the Cheshire Police rural crime team, as well as Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Staffordshire Police.

On March 3, a number of paving stones were dug up from a path at St Mary's Church in Astbury, a village close to Congleton.

At the time, PC Rob Stordy of Cheshire Police said: “The damage is such that the path will be out of use for some time and will need a significant amount of funds to repair."

According to police, the 48-year-old man remains in custody to be interviewed.

Two other men from Manchester, aged 27 and 35, were also arrested on suspicion of theft but released under investigation.