NINE birds were slaughtered and more than 60 were stolen in a raid on an aviary in Padiham.

Among the birds stolen were two rare blue canaries and three black eyed albino budgerigars.

They belong to Charles Fort who has been breeding birds as a hobby for 20 years.

He said: "I went to feed them as usual at 8.30am on Thursday and found that all five cabins had been broken into.

"They left me with nine birds and another nine dead on the floor. There was blood everywhere and they appeared to have been deliberately killed. It was my 73rd birthday, what a birthday present that was.''

A retired water bailiff who last worked at Lowerhouse Lodges, Mr Fort lives close to Green Street allotments in Padiham from where the birds were taken. Stolen were 10 canaries, four white, two blue, eight yellow and six variegated and 42 budgies, yellow, green, blue, grey, variegated and albino.

Mr Fort said: "I just breed them as a hobby and sell a few to pay for seed. I don't show them, I have them as pets.

"Two cages were stolen and they must have taken the birds in them.''

Police are investigating.

Anyone with information about the incident, or the whereabouts of the birds, should call Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

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