A CHURCH is today thanking mystery rubbish collectors who cleared a pile of dumped rubble from its graveyard – without telling a soul.The Evening Star exclusively revealed yesterday how the Church of St Mary and St Peter in Barham had fallen victim to fly-tippers who had left an unsightly pile of wood, bricks and rusty metal next to the gravestones.

A CHURCH is today thanking mystery rubbish collectors who cleared a pile of dumped rubble from its graveyard – without telling a soul.

The Evening Star exclusively revealed yesterday how the Church of St Mary and St Peter in Barham had fallen victim to fly-tippers who had left an unsightly pile of wood, bricks and rusty metal next to the gravestones.

And within hours of the newspaper being delivered to shops and homes across the county someone had mysteriously taken it all away.

Rev Tom Broadbent, priest-in-charge, said he does not know if it was a kind-hearted member of the community or the guilty dumpers who took it.

He said: "We've no idea who took it but are just thankful it's gone.

"We thought at one point the church was going to have to pay for its removal which would have been another blow.

"It's bad enough that for a week visitors to the church have had to look at the mess.

"Volunteers spend a lot of time keeping the area looking nice for when we have services and when people visit the graves of their loved ones."

The mess was dumped sometime between Sunday August 29, and last Thursday, when it was discovered.

Kind-hearted builder Dean Fulcher, of Great Blakenham, had agreed to clear the rubbish after reading the Evening Star.

But before he could get his equipment there the mess had already gone.

He said: "I would have been pleased to help.

"That sort of behaviour gives local builders a bad name and tarnishes the work of the decent firms.

"I would be amazed if any respectable builder did such a thing, it's much more likely to be someone doing DIY."

The Evening Star is still offering a £500 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of the fly-tippers as part of its Dump the Dumpers campaign.

If you have any information about how the rubbish got there contact Paul Lewis, environmental co-ordinator for Mid Suffolk district council, on 01449 727422 or write to Mid Suffolk district council, 131 High Street, Needham Market, IP6 8DL.