THIEVES have stolen around 1,500 French partridge chicks from a poultry shed.

The eight-week old birds were stolen from where they were being raised, at a farm in Dunnington, just outside Bidford, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Alcester police said the thieves must have taken a long time in taking the birds as they had to catch them before putting them into crates for removal.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have any information about the theft, or knows someone who may have acquired a large number of partridge chicks, to contact them on 01789 762207.