A WOMAN is "devastated" after pedigree birds were stolen from her allotment.

Three American Hatch birds were taken from an allotment in Woodhouse Close, Bishop Auckland, some time between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

A spade had been used to force entry into the cage, where the high-class birds - two hens and a cockerel - were kept.

It is the second time in just over a month that Amy Ballan has had hens taken from the plot, with five taken on the previous occasion.

She said: "I'm devastated - I have reared them from eggs until they were four months old.

"It must have been somebody who knows that they are valuable. I am really sick and have called the police."

Anybody with information about the hens is asked to contact Bishop Auckland police on 0845-60-60-365.