The 17th century carved oak chair was noticed missing from All Saint's Church in Ripley on Wednesday morning, and could have been taken any time after the Sunday service.

The chair has never been valued, but has great historical significance for the church where it has been for more than 300 years.

Reverend Stephen Brown said the church was stunned by the theft of an item which held great sentimental value, but would fetch little money if traded.

He said: "It represents the church to which we belong – its wider value is as a symbol. I would imagine it was taken for its market value.

"It's sad and despicable really that someone would steal from churches."

On May 7 last year, an antique alter cross decorated with four ruby cabochon stones was also taken from the church, later to appear on eBay after it was bought at a car boot sale in Wetherby for £40.

The 19th century brass cross was spotted by an eagle-eyed Ripley villager while searching for Staffordshire pottery cottages.

The cross, thought to be 150 years old and worth £2,000, had reached a bidding price of £120.

The distinctive Bishop's chair stands at 1.24m tall and 0.64m wide, and is made from solid oak, making it too heavy for one person to carry or transport. The church has been extremely busy in the past week thanks to warmer weather, and Rev Brown is hopeful that someone may have seen what happened.

"We are hoping that people will come forward," he said. "That's the strange thing – you're not left in the church very long on your own. Theft is bad at any time –- but from a church it's worse. I think it's high on the list of things people are quite disgusted with.

"Even if people are not church goers they find it deeply offensive. It could help us to pin down when the chair was still there, and also if anyone saw anything suspicious, please let us know."

The chair is described as elaborately carved, with two lions supporting a pierced crown with a rose pattern below the crown.

The sides and back are carved with scrolled leaf and medallion pattern, and padded with red leather.

Anyone with information should contact PC 1943 Rotchell at Harrogate police on 0845 6060247.