MORE than 50 pigeons were killed when a loft on allotments was set on fire in the latest in a series of incidents.

The birds, which belonged to fancier John Divine, died of smoke inhalation at the site used by the Highfield Homing Society near Sunderland Road in Felling, Gateshead, on Wednesday night.

The site has been left vulnerable to vandalism after a security fence was damaged and suffered an arson attack last December, when 200 birds died in two crees, and in August 2004, pigeons were taken from crees.

The secretary of the society, Bob Walden, said: "We have to get the message across that the lads who do this hobby are being exterminated one by one. It is a hobby, a life's passion.

"It's a dying hobby but to lose pigeons in these circumstances is horrific.

"The initial reaction is wanting to give up. It is up to us to find a way and the words to tell John that this is not the end and that he can start again."

Mr Walden estimated the cost of replacing the loft and birds at between £4,000 and £5,000 and appealed to fanciers around the region to donate pigeons to Mr Divine so he can start again.

Anyone wanting to donate pigeons or materials for the loft reconstruction are asked to call Mr Walden on 0191-421 6418.