Man admits stealing 300-year-old bell

This 300-year-old bell was stolen from an Otorohanga church. Photo / Supplied

An unemployed 29-year-old man has admitted stealing Otorohanga's historic 300-year-old church bell.

Steven Robert Nicol appeared in Te Kuiti District Court today charged with a number of offences, including the theft of the bell, the Waikato Times reported.

The bell was stolen from the St Bride's Anglican Church in Otorohanga two weeks ago.

It was recovered after an Auckland scrap metal dealer recognised it following an appeal for its return.

The 75kg bronze bell came from the British warship HMS Pembroke, which was launched in 1694.

Known as the Pembroke Bell, it was donated to the church by a family in 1960 in memory of their father before they returned to England.

Nicol was remanded in custody for sentence next month.

- NZPA