A LOVELORN goose has been left on his gander after thieves stole his playmate from a shed in Worcester.

Leon, who was "joined at the hip" with goose Matilda has been looking lost since his "bird" was snatched from their love nest.

Owner Wendy Davies, was left in tears and devastated when she discovered her female pet goose had gone missing.

She said only a human could have undone the big bolt that secured the shed door at the bottom of her garden, used to house the geese.

"On the morning Matilda went missing Leon was outside the back door and I knew something was wrong because they were together always," said the 32-year-old.

"I was devastated, felt terrible and was in tears all day.

"Leon constantly walks round the garden looking lost and he comes into the kitchen and looks at us as if to say 'what do I do?'"

Mrs Davies, who has two young sons, said she bought the geese together, hoping they would provide "spring babies."

The geese, who she described as docile and friendly, were both a year old when they were bought by Mrs Davies, and she has only had them for five months.

"We were hoping they'd have a happy life together because geese live for about 20 years," said Mrs Davies, who also owns pet chickens and ducks.

"These are the biggest geese you can get."

The geese are show birds known as Dewlap Toulouse and are very plump because of their breed.

"They're big, fat and wobbly," said Mrs Davies, who lives near Worcester.

"They like lettuce and corn but it's the bread that makes them fat.

"They're bred as pets, not to be eaten.

"Whoever's stolen her doesn't realise the devastation they've left behind them."

Matilda, valued at £120, is silver in colour, has a bright orange beak, brown eyes and a grey coloured dewlap.

She stands at around two-and-a-half feet and is very plump.

The theft took place between 5.5pm on Wednesday, November 21 and 7am on Thursday, November 22.

Anyone with information should contact Worcester police station on 01905 723888 quoting c/536173 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Mrs Davies is eager to offer a reward for information leading to the return of her goose - alive.