TEN hens have been taken from an allotment in Rishton.

Robert Atkinson is appealing for help from the members of the public to try to find the nine brown and one white hen which were taken from his allotment on Spring Street between midnight and 1am on Tuesday night.

The 68-year-old cannot understand why thieves would break down fencing and then take the hens which are between 12 and 18-months old.

He said: “I think it is disgusting.

“They are not worth anything and at their age, they probably have six more months of laying then they would be go to auction and you would be lucky if you got a pound apiece for them.

“They also don’t have any meat on them so they could not be to eat. I have never heard of anybody stealing hens.

“The police have the CCTV footage which is only from a stealth camera for nature watch.

“There is one fella possibly two and the fencing has been knocked down and they have got in and put the hens in a plastic bag.

“I still have 11 other hens which were not taken but I just don’t know why they have not taken them all.”

Mr Atkinson has pheasants, pigeons, rabbits and hens on his allotment and does not grow produce.

He said: “I used to have the hens for eggs and gave them to customers and neighbours and give them out.

“It just belies belief.

“They are hybrid hens and are bred just for laying eggs.

“If they took tools then I would understand that they would be worth something.

“I am going to Longridge to pick up some more but I would like anyone who has seen anyone locally with some new hens to get in touch with the police.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “ We have had reports of theft of livestock on Spring Street and it remains under investigation.

“We would appeal for anyone who has seen anything suspicious overnight on August 29 to get in touch via ringing 101 and giving the log number 0218 on 29th August.

“Also if anyone hears of hens being given to someone to get in touch.”

n Do you have a news story that you want to see in the paper? Email robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk