TWENTY-FIVE chickens hand-reared by disabled people have been mauled by a fox who scaled a 6ft wire fence to reach their pen.

John Gorton discovered the carnage on Saturday when he went to feed the animals at Top Barn Farm, in Holt Heath, while the owner was on holiday.

"The fox climbed over the top of the fence and got back the same way, without taking any of the chickens," said Mr Gorton.

"It couldn't carry any of the birds out, so they're all still here, with feathers everywhere."

The farm operates a training centre to teach disabled people how to nurture animals and plants.

"It will be a hell of a loss to them," Mr Gorton said.

"They've had a week off and they'll come back expecting to see the animals - but all the chickens are dead."

Mr Gorton, who teaches blind students at the centre, described the scene as "devastation".

"I just couldn't believe it when I came round the corner," he said.

"The chickens were all really friendly and we've had them here for about three years.

"You could go and pick any of them up and they didn't mind."

Groups, ranging in age from 16-year-olds to pensioners, study at the centre each day, with some visiting up to twice a week.

A group of blind students were due at the farm this morning.

"It's a tremendous facility because most of them have never done this before," Mr Gorton said.

"I even have them using hand saws and planes. They're allowed to do these things here under supervision."

The farm also boasts five Oxford Sandy & Black pigs and two miniature goats.

"We also have chicks that we're feeding and have had to bring inside," he said.

"I don't know what we'll do with them now."