Reg loses treasured birds

A bird lover is “inconsolable” after thieves stole his 40 champion canaries worth more than £4,000.

Reg Martin, aged 75, has been left with just one bird following the raid on his aviary in Bilston.

He believes his prize-winning collection of border canaries have been sold on for breeding.

He said: “I nearly had a heart attack when I walked into the shed, these birds were my life.

“They were all exhibition birds and worth at least £100 each. I nearly died, it’s just devastating.

“There’s big business in canaries, some can go for more than £2,000 each.

“Every year you hear of someone having their birds stolen but you never think it will happen to you.”

Reg, of Russell Road, a former bricklayer, is chair of Wolverhampton Caged Birds Society. He said the alarm on his aviary went off at 3am but everything was normal.

Anyone who can help, or who has been offered a green-and-brown border canary, can call police on 0845 1135000.