IT is a peaceful haven in the Hampshire countryside where Billy and Lucy thought they would see out their days.

But the two elderly goats have been snatched away in the middle of the night along with 30 brightly colooured canaries.

Thieves swooped on their home in the back garden of a house in Botley Road, Horton Heath, smashing their way into a large aviary.

The goats, aged about 12 years-old, are owned by 53 year-old Bill Birch and the canaries belong to his mum, pensioner Audrey Birch.

Mr Birch is sickened by the incident. Some of the birds were grabbed from nesting boxes while they were sat on eggs.

The 30 canaries are worth around £600 in total and Mr Birch believes that whoever stole them might try to sell them on.

But he is mystified as to why anyone would want to take two ageing goats and he is concerned about the animal's welfare.

For the full story see today's Daily Echo