Thieves have left a group of adults with learning difficulties devastated after stealing chickens that had been hand-reared from eggs.

Residents at St Brigas residential home and day centre at Jesmond Road, Clevedon, had spent weeks waiting for the eggs to hatch in a special incubator set up at the home.

Once the chicks were born they hand fed them and cared for them until they were taken to a farmhouse and smallholding in Churchill, owned by home manager David Whitehouse.

The residents take regular trips to the farmhouse, in Skinners Lane, to care for the chickens, other animals and a thriving vegetable patch. But they were distraught when they discovered the 14 birds had been stolen.

Then, weeks later, after the chickens had been replaced, the thieves returned and made off with the rest of the birds.

Mr Whitehouse, 52, who lives at the farmhouse with wife Lynne, said: "The residents are devastated."

Chicken thefts are becoming an increasing problem in the North Somerset area.

Nailsea Police spokeswoman, PC Jackie McDonald, said: "We think they may be being stolen for the takeaway market.

"We are very keen to hear from anyone who may have information about the incidents."

Nailsea police can be contacted on 0845 4567000.