A LEADING pigeon fancier told of his heartbreak yesterday after 40 of his best stock birds were found with their necks wrung.

Philip Galloway, 67, of Snowdon Grove, Hartlepool, made the shocking discovery early yesterday morning at his loft close to the town's Dowson Road.

Mr Galloway, known as Sonny to his friends, has kept racing birds at the loft for 55 years and has spent a lifetime preserving his highly successful breeding line.

He estimated the value of the slaughtered birds as anywhere between £50,000 and £100,000.

Mr Galloway told The Northern Echo: "They are my family. I've given more to them than I have my own kids.

"I've never even had a family holiday because I won't leave the birds for more than a weekend to go to a show. I've slept at the loft waiting for them to come in from a race."

He said he believed he had been picked out because of his success.

"I've been targeted specifically for these birds," he said.

"I've never done anybody in the sport a bad turn. The people that have done this are scum."

Mr Galloway said his stock birds had produced big race winners, particularly in Ireland.

He said: "The line has gone now - it can't be replaced. It's a lifetime gone.

"I feel like packing it all in, but my brother, Stanley, says that is what these people want - to get me out of the sport."

Cleveland Police said whoever killed the birds broke into the loft overnight on Tuesday.

Appealing for help from the public, a police spokeswoman said: "The birds all had their necks broken after someone smashed the lock on the loft to gain entry.''

Anyone with information is asked to call 01642-302126, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.