A TEENAGER has been left broken hearted after about a dozen of his pigeons were tortured and killed after a break-in at the family's allotment.

The 14-year-old had fed his birds early on Thursday evening at the Chester Road allotments in Hartlepool, but when he went to check on them on Friday with one of his parents they found dead and injured pigeons.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The family believe one or two of the birds may have escaped, but they still had the horrific task of putting at least one of the birds out of its misery due to the horrific injuries it had sustained."

Police want to speak to anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of the allotments late on Thursday or early Friday, to contact them on (01642) 302126.