An animal-loving family is distraught after two ferrets and four budgies were stolen from their home.

It is the seventh time their property has been targeted in three years.

Tony and Janet Jeffrey have also lost two dogs, 50 canaries and a bird of prey over the years.

In the latest incident a litter of two-week-old ferrets were left without their mother.

The two ferrets and four budgies taken were worth £2,200 in total.

In the past the couple managed to trace one of their pet lurchers to Hertfordshire and return it home after it had been stolen.

Mr Jeffrey, 43, said: "It happens at the same time every year after the breeding season starts."

A professional car sprayer who breeds as a hobby, he said the young ferrets were unlikely to survive.

Mr Jeffrey added: "They took the two mothers. We are trying to hand feed the babies but they are only two weeks old.

"The police don't seem bothered."

Mrs Jeffrey, 50, said it was distressing because the babies kept crying for their mothers.

Ferrets do not normally open their eyes until they are four weeks old. They are usually weaned at between six to eight weeks. They are born weighing eight to ten grams and would be expected to double in size every week.

The animals and birds were kept in cages and an aviary in the family's garden.

Ferrets do not cost much to buy. Mr Jeffrey believes the ferrets could have been stolen to be sold or the thieves might have wanted them to use for working.

Police in Newhaven said the intruders damaged a wire fence to gain access. The theft took place on Monday just after midnight.

A spokesman said: "A vehicle was heard driving at speed away from the property at the time the theft occurred. Police are investigating forensic lines of inquiry and are appealing for witnesses."

Anyone with information or who is aware of these creatures being offered for sale should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting serial nine of June 18.

Last week The Argus revealed that dogs are regularly stolen in Sussex to be sold. The RSPCA said it regularly receives reports of people who have lost their pets. DogsLost.co.uk, a website for people with missing pets, said most of its calls came from people in the South East.

Has your home been targeted? Have you had pets stolen? Leave your comments below.