MANAGER Steve Martin-Harris told today how thieves fled with a pair of birds from a centre for people with mental health problems in Dorchester.

He said the raiders escaped with a spectacular cockatiel and lovebird from an aviary at the Whitfield Rural Activity Centre in Poundbury Road.

The thieves got away with the birds in a crimson carrying cage after smashing their way through the door of the aviary overnight on Monday.

The raid is a blow to the centre's efforts to use birds for therapy with people who have suffered mental health problems.

Mr Martin-Harris said: "The lovebird was spectacular.

"It was green, pink and yellow and quite a bit different to anything else."

He added: "People are missing the birds and it is a hassle that they have gone.

"It is lucky more were not taken, although I think the cockatiel may have given the thief a peck on the hand and taken a chunk out.

"I think this may have persuaded them not to take any more."

People at the centre, in the original Poundbury area of Dorchester, clean, tidy and feed a number of birds in the aviary as part of their therapy for mental health problems with the help of instructor Mary Lynn.

The complex has been running for nine years and has been hit by thefts of canaries, tools and two vans in the past.

Mr Martin-Harris said: "Someone came into centre in the morning and found the birds gone.

"There was a big hole in the aviary door which has now been repaired. We think an adult may be responsible rather than children."

Now Mr Martin-Harris is appealing for the birds to be returned.

The cockatiel is a small Australian parrot with a long crest and the lovebird is a colourful African parrot.

Police in Dorchester want to hear from witnesses, people with information about the raid and anyone who is asked if they want to buy birds of this kind. Call police on (01305) 251212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.