A World War One memorial that was stolen from a church back in 2008 has been found by police.

The battlefield cross has been missing for more than a decade after it was taken from the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Warden, near Hexham.

The cross was found by police laying on the ground in Durham, as of yet nobody knows how it got there.

Earlier this week Northumberland Police announced that it has been found and it will soon be back where it belongs.

A statement said: "Great work by Tynedale Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and our colleagues at Stanley NPT at Durham Police reclaiming a stolen WW1 memorial.

"The battlefield cross has been missing for over a decade and will be returned to its rightful place in Warden Church, Hexham very soon."

The cross was originally situated in a family grave to commemorate Second Lieutenant Leadbitter, a soldier who fought during the First World War.

Rev Jeremy Thompson of St Michael and All Angels Church, said: "I didn't know it was lost! It was removed from the church yard before I arrived as a vicar.

"I was very intrigued when I was told about it by police.

"I was surprised to be told that they had found it but it was a pleasant surprise."

The memorial has now been sent to be repaired before it is returned back to the church.

Rev Thompson is planning to go this weekend and bring the cross back to the church.

On what plans he has for the memorial he said: "My plan is that it doesn't got back outside as it doesn't mark a grave, the soldier has been buried in France.

"I would like to get the cross displayed in the church as part of our war memorial."

The cross will be displayed in the church before it is placed in its final position.