A thief stole a priceless religious icon from an altar at Chester Cathedral – and left a tiny plastic Christmas angel in its place.

The 18th century painting, depicting the raising of Lazarus, was taken from a wooden stand in the peaceful Chapel of Saint Anselm, which has recently been reopened to the pubic.

Distressed worshippers and staff at the cathedral were shocked to discover the icon, which has been described as “unique” and “priceless”, had vanished from the small chapel – and replaced by a tiny plastic Christmas tree decoration.

It is thought the thief struck while the chapel was open, sneaking behind a rail to get to the altar to steal the Greek Orthodox icon, which was gifted to the cathedral seven-years-ago by the family of the late Dean Ingram Cleasby.

It is unclear whether the thief placed the decoration on the altar in place of the icon, which police believe may have been given as a gift, sold or put on display elsewhere following the theft.

Cathedral officials said the painting was “unique” and that because the icon is old it makes it very difficult to value.

The priceless painting was stolen from the Chapel of Saint Anslem

The news comes less than a week before the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are due to visit the cathedral to officially open the Cathedral at Height tower tour.

Vice Dean, Canon Peter Howell-Jones, said: “The icon enhanced St Anselm’s Chapel and its worship and we are distressed by its disappearance.

“The Chapel is used every weekday for Morning Prayer, for occasional Eucharists, for Compline on three days of Holy Week, as well as for the Maundy Thursday Vigil. We are very much looking forward to the icon’s safe return to the cathedral.”

Saint Anselm’s Chapel, which can be accessed via a small stone staircase at the rear of the cathedral nave, only recently opened to the public after years of being roped off.

The icon, which is around 12cm by 29cm and painted on a wooden board, was stolen from behind a 17th century rail, which would have been shut but not locked as the time, say police.

Police are now searching for the thief and are asking members of the public to keep an eye out for the icon, which they believe could be on display in someone’s house or in another venue.

Sgt Andy Burrage, of Chester Inner Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing to the public who may have information on the current whereabouts of this piece.

“Has it been offered as a gift? Have you seen it for sale elsewhere, or seen it displayed elsewhere?

“The piece is unique and distinctive and will stand out.”

Another piece of art, a triptych has temporarily been placed on the altar of the chapel, which was once the private place of worship for the Abbot of the Benedictine.

“It is very disheartening to think that somebody has stolen this piece from the city’s cathedral and I would ask anybody with any information to contact us, in order for us to return this piece to its rightful place and deal with the person responsible accordingly,” added Sgt Burrage.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting ref CC14243629 or to can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.