TEENAGER Lucy Geldard and her dad Tony have been left heartbroken after cruel thieves raided their canaries' aviary.

Twenty-one canaries were stolen, six chicks left behind have died, and many eggs were destroyed in the raid at Kemple View, Clitheroe.

The dad and daughter are so sickened that they are giving up their hobby.

Janet Geldard said this was the second time her husband and daughter had suffered from thieves.

She said: "We used to keep birds on our allotment, but they were stolen last year and we moved them to the garden, where we thought they would be safe. "We don't breed the birds for showing. They are literally pets and make the garden look lovely.

"What sickens me is it that the thieves obviously know about birds, yet are quite willing to orphan chicks.

"They must know that birds nest at this time of year. They must know the chicks will die if separated from their parents. How could they do it?"

Janet said husband Tony, who has kept birds for 10 years, was "gutted" by the thefts.

Lucy was in tears when she discovered that the chicks had died.

Now they have vowed never to keep birds again and are warning other enthusiasts to be extra vigilant.

"We can't go through this again. It's too upsetting," Janet said.

"If your birds can't be safe in your own garden, where can they be? We won't be keeping them any more. It's as simple as that."

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