THIEVES have made off with what they hope will be the goose that helped make the golden eggs after stealing a special guinea-fowl from a property in Defford, near Worcester.

Chicken rearers Lyn and Tom Newman made national headlines last week after they discovered a rare guin – a chicken-guinea-fowl cross-breed among their flock.

But on Sunday a routine early morning inspection at their smallholding found the guinea-fowl which fathered the guin was missing. The birds do not normally cross-breed.

Mr Newman said: “The bird was still in the flock on Saturday, but it was gone by about 5.30am on Sunday.

“My wife gets up early to let the birds out and was very upset when she noticed it was gone. There was nothing to indicate what had happened. It was as if we had never had it.

“All this within 12 hours of the story gaining national publicity, and a few days after the local paper had it.

“We don’t hold out much hope of retrieving the bird, it has no markings and it’s worth just £10. What made it unique was that it sired a guin, and they are worth a few bob. The cages are in an open field but within eyesight of the house. They were not locked, but we had never had any problems up until now.”

West Mercia Police confirmed that it had received a call about the theft at about 10am on Monday.

Spokesman Porcha Treanor said: “The owner is very upset about the disappearance of the bird and police are appealing for witnesses.”

Anyone with information is urged to call West Mercia Police on 0300 3333000, with reference number 205S 17/05/10.