SCOUTS' delight turned to horror when 20 chickens donated to them by Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers just two weeks ago were stolen.

This is the third tragedy facing the Cambridge Street group, in Accrington, after their first 20 hens were mutilated three weeks ago and all their camping equipment stolen on October 11.

Group leaders are beginning to think they are being targeted by a gang carrying out a vendetta against the scouting movement.

The troop has been looking after animals for two-and-a-half years at an allotment in Peel Park, Accrington, visiting them daily. Police were called after the first incident but they suspected a fox was to blame, though leaders were convinced it was thieves.

The scouts were thrilled when they were contacted by sympathetic people who donated another 20 hens.

They had just started to pick out names for the birds when tragedy struck again on Monday.

Now leaders are convinced it was the work of intruders as the surrounding fence is damaged.

Gillian Wyld, who helps with the scouts and whose husband David is scout leader, said: "We are all devastated. The chickens were like pets to the scouts.

"We think there is a gang who for some reason is targeting our scout group and we have no plans to replace the birds."

Accrington police said they were investigating.

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