A YOUNG family has offered a £100 reward for information leading to the safe return of eight of their beloved guinea pigs which were stolen from the bottom of their garden on Saturday night.

The Walters, who live at Ashbury, woke up on Sunday morning to find the pen where they keep all their male guinea pigs empty.

Geraldine Walter said the whole family was shocked and upset but her two young sons were particularly distraught.

'They cannot understand why anyone would want to take them and neither can we,' she said. 'We have 30 guinea pigs and each one has its own name and personality. Anyone who keeps these pets will know how attached you can get to them because they are real characters.'

Among the ones which were taken were three-year-old Isaac Walter's favourite 'Percy', a black, ginger and white long haired variety and brother Jordan's pet 'Garru' who is a long-haired ginger and white.

Mrs Walter said there was a shortage of male guinea pigs at the moment and that might have had something to do with why they were taken.

'We love all our pets but the male ones are definitely the special ones,' she said. 'They are kept separately in a big pen at the bottom of the garden and our house is situated off the beaten track.'

The pets are bred for pleasure and only a few are given away to friends: 'Family and friends know we have guinea pigs but we do not breed them for selling so we are not known to the wider public,' added Mrs Walter.

'It is frightening to think someone has been on our property and done something like this — the strange thing was the dog did not even bark.'

The animal-loving family have been keeping guinea pigs for 12 years and have never had any animals stolen before.

'It's just not something you would expect to happen,' she said. 'We have informed the police and local pet shops and hopefully someone will come forward with information.'

Manager of Big H Pet Superstore in Okehampton Sarah Venton said there had been a shortage of guinea pigs lately which might give someone enough reason to want to go and steal them.

'It is very distressing for the family not only that their guinea pigs have gone but that someone has been on their premises,' she said. 'The majority of our suppliers are local and have dealt with us for a long period of time but we will certainly keep our eyes open for anything that appears suspicious.'

Anyone who can help should contact PC Jill Steer at Okehampton Police Station on 08705 777444.