Five ducks have been stolen from a primary school in Broadstairs.

The animals were taken from Bromstone Primary School’s pet area at the weekend, leaving pupils devastated.

Two of the ducks were raised by the children at the school from ducklings and had been there for nearly three years.

A third smaller female duck joined the school in May of this year, after being rescued from bullying bigger ducks at a private park.

Two baby ducklings were then adopted by this duck in July and grew to be four times the size of their adopted mother, who could be heard every morning by the children calling to be fed and let out of her run.

The school’s business manager, Nigel Avery, said: “It happened sometime between the school closing on Friday last week and Sunday morning when the grounds men discovered them missing.

“The staff and children would be made up if the ducks were returned. They can be put back in the style that they were taken or if they turn up and put them on the doorstep it doesn’t matter. We’d just like to see them returned.”

The ducks were kept to teach children the responsibility of looking after animals.

Kent Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: “Police are investigating the reported theft of five ducks from a pen at a school in Rumfields Road, Broadstairs. It is believed the ducks were taken sometime between 6pm on November 27 and 8.30am on November 29.

“The ducks are worth around £100 in total. Two are white, one is black, one is grey and one is a duckling.”

Police are appealing for anyone who has information about the thefts or who has been offered the ducks for sale to contact them on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/37938/15.