PIGEON fancier Eddie Park has been robbed of 11 pedigree racing birds by thieves who broke into his loft in broad daylight.

Mr Park, 67, of Rothwell Avenue, Accrington, said the intruders knew what they were after.

They left behind his racing birds which would have flown home at the first opportunity.

Instead they stole the pick of his stock birds, used for breeding.

All the stolen birds were sitting on eggs which were left behind, and two pairs of recently-hatched birds died from cold.

Many of the ringed pigeons were previous winners and one has flown the Channel 19 times.

Mr Park, who races with Accrington and District Homing Society, said: "They were not looking for pigeons for racing they were looking for pigeons to breed off."

He said the birds were probably worth several hundred pounds but it was impossible to put a value on them.

"I'm just lucky to have some bred off them to keep the blood," he added.

His wife Shirley said: "They knew what they were doing and have taken the best of the bunch."

The thieves used Mr Park's own pickaxe to break the lock on his stock loft and aviary at Woodnook allotments.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Accrington police on 382141.

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