A REWARD is being offered for the safe return of a parrot that has been stolen from a Wirral pet shop.

Jasper, an African Grey parrot, was taken from his cage by a gang which smashed its way through the front door of Irby Pet Shop in Thingwall Road, Irby, in the early hours of Friday, February 26.

It is believed the four men arrived at the shop in a silver Astra before using half a paving slab to smash their way through the front door.

Apart from Jasper, nothing of any value was taken. Police are investigating the break-in and Jasper's disappearance.

His Wallasey-based owner Jayne Smith, who works at the pet shop owned by her mother, is devastated that 10-year-old Jasper has gone and fears she may never see him again.

He has lived in the shop for the last six months and moved in when Jayne was moving house.

She told the Globe: "He's not a particularly friendly bird and once people realise how bad he can be they will probably let him go and we may never see him. He's lived in the shop for about six months and is quite a character.

"The customers love him. He's a good talker and can do a whole conversation and is very popular. The customers are very upset that he's gone.

"It beggars belief that someone could come in and do this. They've made a heck of row when they've broken in and it’s obviously disturbed Jasper.

"They probably left the till, because Jasper was making so much noise that they had to get away quickly. They probably took him to shut him up.

"It doesn't matter how we get him back. Even if they dumped him safe and well on the step outside the shop, at least he'd be home."

Anyone with information on Jasper's disappearance can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, call the shop on 648 3032.