PIGEON fanciers are putting up a reward for the safe return of birds after thieves ransacked allotments.

About 100 birds were taken from the allotments in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland.

John Hepple, 68, says he will give up his hobby after losing 41 of his birds.

He said: "This is the third time this has happened to me and I cannot go through it again. I will carry on racing the ones I have left until they are too old then I will pack in all together."

The thieves originally stole 42 birds from Mr Hepple, but one managed to escape and make its way back to its home on the allotments.

Mr Hepple said: "It is quite frightening. They will not have cared less. The birds will have been put into a bin bag."

Dave Blackman, secretary of the Coundon Homing Society, said that a reward of £600 was being offered by the society for the safe return of the birds and the conviction of the thieves.

He said: "We are not talking about champion racers here. This is just a hobby to these men. One man is 79 years old and has had pigeons all his life. He is distraught. They took everything."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Heather Bryant on (01388) 603566 or Mr Blackman on (01388) 602112.