A world-renowned parrot breeder who was jailed for smuggling rare species into Britain has been ordered to pay £150,000 made from his criminal activities.

Henry Sissen, 63, now faces selling his share in a family farm in North Yorkshire and his remaining birds after being taken to court by Customs and Excise, which initially claimed he had made more than £400,000 from parrot smuggling.

Sissen was jailed for 30 months in April 2000 after a jury found him guilty of smuggling three Lear's macaws - there are only 150 left in the world - and six Blue-headed macaws from east Europe, in the biggest case of its kind to come before a British court.

The hearing, in which former Tory Party leader William Hague gave evidence, attracted international interest.

Following his release from prison, Sissen was pursued by Customs and Excise and yesterday he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for a hearing to determine the amount to be confiscated.

A hearing last month determined Sissen had benefited to the tune of £160,000 from his illegal activities but today he was told to pay £10,000 less after his assets were calculated.

Judge Guy Whitburn QC, who jailed him at the time, ruled Sissen had a £130,400 stake in the family farm where he lives at East Cowton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Sissen's remaining collection of birds were worth £17,000, the prosecution and defence agreed, and the judge believed Sissen would be able to raise a further £2,600 to make a total £150,000.

Judge Whitburn said: "I'm quite certain he will be able to make up the shortfall."

Sissen has now been told he will be jailed for 21 months if he does not pay the confiscation order money within nine months.

Simon Farrell, defending, said his client would have difficulty selling his rare birds as they do not have the correct papers, necessary under an international convention on selling endangered species.

It would not be easy for Sissen to sell off his 20 per cent stake in the family farm either, Mr Farrell said.

But the judge said: "If ever there was a man hoisted on his own petard it is your client."

Speaking outside court, Sissen said he will have to sell the home he shares with his wife Patricia.

He added: "She is devastated. She knows the work and dedication I have put in to breed these endangered birds.

"They are trying to put me out on the street. I cannot raise £150,000."