RABBIT lover Jennifer Roberts has turned detective in an attempt to discover the fate of her missing pets.

The mother-of-two is convinced there is a sinister reason behind a spate of rabbit thefts in the Little Bispham area.

Her Dutch rabbits Thumper, Smudge and Smokey were taken from their large enclosure in Norbreck Road overnight on Monday, August 13. One is a white and grey male, there is an all grey female and a white and brown female.

Mrs Roberts, who lives with husband Tom and daughters Laura, 17 and Caroline, 14, realised another local family had been victim of a similar raid when she started her own investigating.

"I'm obviously very upset that our family pets have been stolen, but what makes it worse is the thought of what has happened to them," she said.

"I really believe this is the work of some sort of professional group. They went to a lot of trouble and risk to get to the rabbits in both cases.

"I would be interested to know if there are any animal rights activists operating in the area or perhaps somebody who might want to make financial gain by selling the rabbits on to a restaurant or laboratory."

Blackpool police have been informed about the thefts and anybody with information can contact them or Mrs Roberts on 01253 864802.