A special service was held in Wem on Friday after primary school pupils presented a replacement candle holder after the original was stolen from a town church.

The holder was taken from St Peter and Pauls church in the High Street at the start of the year in a theft, but pupils at St Peter's school came together and bought a new holder.

They officially presented it to Reverend Nick Heron at the special assembly service held at the school on Friday morning, leaving him delighted with how the pupils came together to raise the money.

He insisted he wanted to look forward at the excellent work carried out by the pupils from the Shrubbery Gardens school, rather than focus on the theft of the original candle holder.

"I'm really proud of the school and of this town too," said Revd

"The fact that the money was raised by the children and staff who came together to do this is brilliant.

"It's not a good to focus on the theft; I would rather look forward and see the positives that they have done this for us.

"It goes to show that Wem is a special town and the kids from this school contribute to that."

Fiona Russell, headteacher at the school, expressed her delight at the gesture from the pupils.

She added: "The pupils were great throughout the service; we're really proud of the children and the generosity that they have shown alongside the parents, who helped them.

"It's been a super service and we thank the mayor for coming and also one of the governors Tim Heavisides."

Wem mayor Councillor Connie Granger admitted her delighted at being invited to the service was fill of praise for the youngsters at the school.

She said: "It really is a great place to be – I'm so proud to have been invited to take part.

"I think it's just brilliant they raised the money themselves for the church."

The service also saw pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 come together to sing a medley of pop songs as part of the assembly.