A PAIR of tropical birds used for breeding were snatched by burglars in a smash-and-grab raid at a pet shop.

Swan Lane Pet Store, in Great Lever, was targeted yesterday at about 6.15am.

Two men smashed the store’s front window, alerting the owners, Albert and Eileen Barlow, who were sleeping upstairs.

They disturbed the thieves, who escaped with one bird cage containing the two parakeets, worth £100.

Mr and Mrs Barlow, who have owned the shop for 20 years, have offered a £50 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the burglars.

Mr Barlow said: “It is very upsetting, especially over the Christmas period. I don’t know why they have taken these two birds, but they are worth a lot to us.

“It will have been a very distressing experience for the parakeets and it will have also distressed the other birds in the shop.”

Police were called at about 6.30am and searched for the thieves in the surrounding area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.