Thieves steal pet from garden

9:42pm Friday 4th July 2008

A DEVASTATED schoolgirl is offering a reward for the safe return of her pet gosling after thieves stole in from her garden.

Ten-year-old Georgie Bancroft is saving her pocket money of £5 a week in the hope the £50 she wants to raise will encourage someone to return the bird.

Georgie hatched Trio in an incubator and has looked after him and two other goslings, Ace and Deux, for the last two months.

The pupil of Bolton Parish CE Primary said: "I don't know why anybody would want to take Trio. I am really worried about him and am so upset. I just want him back. I hope the money will make someone return him. The reward will come out of pocket money so I will have to save up. But Trio is more important."

Georgie, who lives with her family in Tonge Fold, discovered Trio was missing when she went to feed the goslings, which are kept in a hut, on Wednesday morning. She discovered the lock had been forcibly open and Trio had gone.

Mum, Yvonne, who also has a two-year-old son Jack, said: "The bird was taken sometime between 8pm the night before and 8am Wednesday morning. Georgie is so upset, she won't stop crying. She is so worried about the other two and keeps asking me how Trio is feeling.

"We have these animals for the enjoyment and education of the children. I think someone has taken Trio as a pet.

Mrs Bancroft said the theft of Trio had been reported to the police.

schaudhari@theboltonnews.co.uk