Burglars have stolen 14 rare breeding bullfinches worth £3,000 from their aviary.

The seven pairs of birds were stolen from an address in Peterswood, on the border of Epping Green and Harlow between midnight and 8am on Thursday.

The suspects climbed over the garden wall, forced open a window to one of two aviaries and removed the birds from their cages.

It is believed they would have had a large box or cage to transport the birds, which are valued at more than £3,000.

Police said the birds, which were once a 'pest' of fruit crops, would have made a lot of noise when they were separated from their mates.

The bullfinch is listed for preservation by the Royal Society for Protection to Birds due to rapid recent declines in breeding.

Police are appealing for information.