Police are urging bird fanciers to beware of people offering canaries for sale after more than 30 were stolen.

The birds were taken in two separate raids on breeders' premises.

One breeder said today he had been left devastated by the theft.

Robert Myall, 73, has been breeding birds since he was 16. Fifteen canaries were stolen from his Hailsham aviary on Monday night.

Mr Myall said: "I just couldn't believe it. When you breed canaries like I do you build up your own bloodline.

"Mine win at shows and I was just getting them up to perfection."

Mr Myall has won many prizes for his Fife and Yorkshire breeds.

Thieves forced open the door to the cage in his back garden. Mr Myall said: "The birds are a sitting target in the dark. They just picked them up."

He has phoned pet shops in the area to warn them of unscrupulous dealers.

The birds were various colours, including blue, white and green.

Last week 16 canaries were stolen from a house in Wannock.

A police spokesman said: "We urge anyone offered these birds, including pet shop staff, to contact us urgently."