A BIRD worth more than £800 has been stolen from a pet shop.

Other animals were released from their cages after the break-in at the shop.

Thieves left a trail of destruction as they stole the pink goffin cockatoo, along with its cage, in the early hours yesterday.

Police believe the culprits will now try and sell the two-year-old bird and are warning would-be buyers to be vigilant.

The incident happened at about 1am when thieves smashed a window and broke through security mesh at the pet store in Howlbeck Road, Guisborough, east Cleveland.

Empty fish tanks were left broken on the floor, and hamsters were released after some of their cages were overturned, but the thieves ignored the other animals and focused solely on the bird.

Pet store owner Thomas McPike, 48, of Eston, is urging anyone with information to come forward.

He said the bird, which he bought a week ago, would be extremely distressed.

He said: "I think it is most likely that someone has been in the shop and seen the bird and wanted it.

"They are not that rare, but you do not see many of them. Because of its bright pink colour, it stands out."

Mr McPike said the thieves would not be able to sell the bird to other dealers because they would have to explain where it came from.

He said: "He is very nervous at the moment. He is still quite young and is not used to being handled. If someone tries to handle him, he will bite.

"They took the cage off his stand and he would probably have been absolutely terrified to be dragged out at 1am.

"I am pretty confident he will turn up because of his unique colour; someone is going to realise. If they do come across him, tell the police or take it to a vet."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 302626.