A PRIZE-winning rabbit exhibitor has been left devastated after four of his animals were slain by vandals armed with kitchen knives.

Former joiner Vincent Raine, 83, of Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, has won the UK Dutch Rabbit Club national trophy in 1991 and 2001, and several other competitions over the years.

Now he is counting the cost of what police described as and act of "mindless vandalism and cruelty".

A young buck, which Mr Raine had high hopes for both in terms of breeding and showing, was killed along with three does after the attack at his allotment sheds.

A third doe is missing.

The vandals left blood-stained kitchen knives at the scene. They have been taken away for forensic examination.

Tuesday's attack also left great-grandfather Mr Raine's sheds, near Cross Lane, Sacriston, badly damaged.

Mr Raine, a vice-president and life member of the North Eastern Dutch Rabbit Club, has been breeding and showing Dutch rabbits since the 1960s and had 20 rabbits before the attack.

"It must have been a horror camp and there must have been some squealing going on," said widower Mr Raine. "It was dreadful - I just don't know what people are coming to.

"The surviving rabbits were cowering at the back of their pens when I went up there after getting a phone call from one of the allotment holders telling me what had happened.

"I was sick when I saw it. I am not unaccustomed to seeing dead rabbits, but these had been butchered."

A police spokesman said there had been a spate of attacks at Cross Lane and at allotments in nearby Witton Road.

"In one incident we understand a number of 'show' rabbits were killed and several canaries were released at another location when the vandals broke in. Tools have also been taken from some of the sheds.

"We are working on the basis the incidents are all linked and the beat officer for Sacriston has been given the task of making inquiries in the area.

"Obviously, if anyone has any knowledge of who was responsible for this mindless vandalism and cruelty we would ask them to get in touch."

Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to contact Chester-le-Street police on 0845 6060 365 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.