A FAMILY of tiny monkeys was stolen from a North-East home yesterday.

But the thieves left the mother behind and it is feared the distraught animal may die of a broken heart.

Five marmosets - the father and four youngsters - were taken from an enclosure in the garden of the Darlington house in what their owner is sure was a professional raid.

But, for some reason, the mother was not touched and is pining for her young ones.

Police are investigating the theft, but the monkeys' owner believes they will have been quickly taken out of the region.

She was contacted via the Internet by someone who claimed to be interested in the creatures, which can be worth up to £1,000 each.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "They said they wanted to come up and see them and I foolishly gave them my address.

"They gave me their address but it turned out to be phoney.

"There aren't many marmosets up here, but quite a lot in the Midlands and down south."

"I think it must have been professionals. We have had the police here to check for fingerprints but if it was professionals, they will have had gloves on."

PC Phil Muir, of Darlington police, said: "It's definitely somebody who knows what they are doing. They are only tiny little things but they run around like crazy.

"It's not the sort of thing that a young lad would be able to do.

"It's sad because the mother, who is pregnant, will probably die of a broken heart. They are very family-orientated."

Marmosets weigh less than a pound. They are most commonly found in the forests of South America.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.