A HEARTBROKEN pensioner is offering a reward after thieves broke into an allotment and stole his pets.

William Howcroft, 69, fears he will never see two African grey parrots stolen from an aviary on his allotment.

Thieves ransacked three aviaries in the village of Stanley Crook, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Tuesday night, stealing 43 canaries, six zebra finches and four diamond doves, as well as the parrots.

Mr Howcroft said: "How could they do this? Stealing a man's hobby. They are sick. It has knocked the hell out of me."

The pensioner said that tools had also been stolen from the allotment, where he also keeps other birds and a host of small animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs.

He said: "They can keep the tools, I am not bothered about them.

"It's the birds I am worried about, but I doubt I will ever see them again."

Mr Howcroft is offering £100 for the safe return of his pets.

He said: "I was going to breed them but now I think they will be separated and sold on."

He believes the thieves will not have had an easy time trying to take them after first attempting to put them into a cage before bundling them into a bag to try and keep them quiet.

He said: "They will be very noisy in a house and anybody will be able to hear if their neighbour has suddenly got a parrot."

Crook police last night appealed for witnesses to any of the three burglaries.

PC Lyndsey Woodward said: "Everybody is upset. All the owners keep the birds as a hobby and nobody can believe this has happened.''

Witnesses are asked to contact PC Woodward on (01388) 762011.