Thieves target garden aviary

A bird lover today told of his devastation after thieves took his collection of 50 canaries and finches from his aviary in Walsall.

Distraught Chris Faulkner started collecting the birds, which are worth in total about £500, six years ago.

The 50-year-old built the aviary in his back garden in Coalpool. Today he appealed for the return of his beloved birds, which police fear could already have been sold on.

It is believed the cinnamon canaries and benegalese finches, aged from 12 months to two years old, were taken at between 5pm and 8.30pm on Thursday.

Mr Faulkner, who works for Walsall Crane Hire, said: "Someone has been in and taken my hobby away from me and I am absolutely gutted. I work up to 60 hours a week and I enjoyed looking after them for relaxation."

Sgt Mick Hinton, of Walsall police, said: "We have tried desperately to find these birds but we don't know where they are.

"They may have been sold on but we don't know. Whoever took them obviously knew they were there."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Walsall police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.