Two baby birds have died after thieves broke into an aviary.

The five-day-old cockatiel chicks were unable to survive as their mother and father either escaped or were taken during the break-in.

Twelve zebra finches also went missing during the burglary.

It happened in the back garden of Pauline Anderson's home, in Knightsfield Road, Quinton, Sittingbourne.

Mrs Anderson only realised her pets had gone when she and her daughter Gemma, 29, went into the garden the following day.

The 51-year-old mum-of-four said: "They shut the shed behind them so I didn't notice they had broken the lock off.

"I was in the garden sitting up by the aviary having a cup of tea with my daughter when she said the bolt was missing.

"When I went in there I saw the two cockatiels weren't in their nesting box - one of them was always with the chicks, feeding them or keeping them warm.

"I couldn't do anything with them. If I'd picked them up they would have died. I had to leave them. They were too small."

The female cockatiel, which was three-and-a-half years old, was grey while the male, which is two-years-old, is yellow. They pair are worth an estimated £40.

It is unclear if the birds were the target when the 8ft by 10ft shed, which has a flight area attached to it, was broken into sometime overnight between 10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Mrs Anderson added: "Eight weeks ago three other sheds in the garden were broken into and a petrol strimmer was taken.

"I don't know if they went into the aviary thinking there was tools in there, but there's not any tools just bigs bins with food and water containers.

"I'm devastated, they're like our babies since the children have grown up and gone.

"I would like them back. If someone has got them or has found them then please return them."

Anyone with any information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101, quoting reference number XY/16116/12.