A BIG-hearted newsagent has stepped in to help Scouts after the savage slaughter of their pet birds.

Youngsters were devastated when raiders, probably with a dog, broke into their allotment at Peel Park, Accrington, killing chickens and a goose and stealing other poultry.

Les Smalley, who runs a newsagents shop in High Street, Rishton, arranged to donate a dozen free range hens to Cambridge Street Methodist Scouts.

He said: "The people who organise these groups to keep children off the streets are doing an excellent job and deserve all the help they can get."

The hens, along with two bags of corn, have come from his father, Les Smalley, a retired farmer at Whitebirk.

A ladies' group has also donated £30 to help repair the damaged fencing.

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