A woman left heartbroken after thieves stole 22 birds from her back garden has been flooded with donations of new feathered friends.

Julia Minors, 50, who has bred quails and budgies for 17 years, spent £2,500 creating her Gravesend garden and bird aviary but last Tuesday she was burgled and her pets stolen.

While providing a home for her 23 budgies and two quails, the aviary was also a gift to herself for her recent birthday.

Since telling her story to KentOnline, Julia has been contacted by bird lovers across the UK and even America and already has a new family of budgies.

The theft came after two failed attempts by hooded men who broke into Julia’s garden to try to take the birds.

Last month, carer Julia spotted two men running around in the aviary, trying to catch the birds with a nest box.

She said of the burglary: “I felt violated, heartbroken in fact, but since my sad story ran, I have been grateful to receive a lot of help from the public.

“I thought I was just on my own but now I know there is hope" - Julia

“A local gentleman, called Arthur, got in touch with me and has helped me regain my aviary.

“Because of this and feeling so insecure and unhappy in my home, I have now put full security in.”

A police spokesman said: “It was reported that entry had been gained to an aviary in the garden and that a number of budgies had been stolen.”

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference XY/30096/16.