NINE prized racing pigeons have been stolen from coups in Knutsford.

Buckets of corn have also vanished from the lofts in Mereheath Lane.

Worried fanciers have now reinforced doors and fixed extra locks.

"If you went round there you would think you were breaking into Fort Knox," said Frank Lockwood, 80.

Scissors

Four pigeons were stolen from Mr Lockwood's loft along with three £100 metal baskets.

Some of the pigeon club president's race-winning birds, worth more than £100 each, were also taken.

"The more they win for you the more valuable they are," he said.

Other members of Knutsford Flying Club have also fallen victim.

One bird was handed to a vet after its wing feathers were chopped off with scissors.

Geoff Cheetham, of Drury Lane, said the thieves had ripped wire netting off his aviary and stolen two birds.

One, though, flew home.

"They are pretty quick so if somebody opened a door they would fly away," he said.

Ann Aspin, who races her late mother's birds, has also lost pigeons, food and minerals. Mr Lockwood now fears his chances of winning races have also disappeared.

The pigeons' exercise regime has been disrupted because the birds are too frightened to fly home.

"When you let them out they get very nervous and won't drop on top of the loft," he said. "They fly round and round and when that happens in a race it can cost valuable seconds."