A?PRESS conference will be held at 11am on Thursday (December 16) in St John the Evangelist Church, Delabole to appeal for information regarding the theft and destruction of a prize-winning breeder's budgerigars the night before a show earlier this year.

On August 20, between 4pm and 10pm, 21 budgerigars were stolen from Andrew Pooley's bird house in Penmead Road, Delabole. Two birds were killed — including the prize-winning budgerigar, Penmead Pride'.

Now a fresh appeal is being made in an attempt to obtain more information surrounding the incident.

Former Thames Valley Police Detective and now private investigator, John Hayward, will be presenting the conference alongside Mr Pooley.

Mr Hayward will announce that a reward is being offered for information leading to the birds' safe return and any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.

He will also be leafletting Delabole and the surrounding area and talking to local people to raise local awareness of the crime.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Hayward in strict confidence on 01869 325699, 07802 404929 or alternatively e-mail [email protected]">[email protected].