A DISABLED man in Droitwich is in shock after having his collection of birds he has been building for decades, stolen from an enclosure in his back garden.

Adrian Wycherley, who suffers from spina bifida and diabetes, has been collecting birds for approximately 40 years, and has trained a number of them to talk.

Three of the birds, two African grey parrots, and a cockatiel were stolen from a shed in Mr Wycherley’s back garden in Stalls Farm Road on Saturday, April 11, just after 9pm.

The birds, who are called CoCo, Congo and Joey, all talk and can say their own names.

Mr Wycherley said: “The cockatiels have been with us for about 17 years, they talk, they say my wife’s name. I’m very fond of them, and my wife’s really attached to them. I’m a bit in shock over it all.”

The offender or offenders forced entry to the property taking the birds, which are worth more than £1,000.

Investigating officer, Pc James Prosser, said: "I urge anyone who saw anything suspicious at the time, in particular someone with three birds in one large cage, to make contact with us as soon as possible. I am also asking anyone who may have been offered the birds for sale or know of anyone who has recently acquired a new parrot to get in touch."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident no. 0690 of 11 April 2015. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.