PLEASE bring our guinea pigs back!

That's the plea from heartbroken children this week after a callous thief snatched a hutch containing their three beloved pets - Chocolate, Patch and Ginger.

"They're devastated," said mother-of-five, Kath Steele, of Norton Village, Runcorn.

"They've had guinea pigs for nine years and nothing like this has ever happened before."

Jack, 15, Sarah, 13, Katie, 11, Alison, seven, and Amy, five, have put up posters appealing for information in shops.

"It's horrible," said Mrs Steele.

"We just want to know if they're alright. We'd hate the thought of anything happening to them."

Fortunately, their baby guinea pig, Gypsy, survived - because she was at the vets.

"We had to go out and buy a new hutch," said Mrs Steele. "She seems so lonely. She won't come out on her own so we'll have to get another one for company."

Call 01928-713286 if you can help.