“Rotten” thieves have broken into a charity children's centre in Bushey and stolen three ferrets that have entertained thousands of children.

Less than a month after the Watford Observer reported the theft of chickens used to educate children in Bournehall School in Bushey, The Lincolnsfields Children's Centre in Bushey Hall Drive was broken into last night.

The Farmyard Funworld, home to dozens of animals visited by school groups and local families, was the target of the area's latest animal theft.

Staff said they were “shocked and saddened” at the loss of grey white female ferret Smokey, albino male Musket and albino female Scally.

Police visited the scene but farm manager Peter Conway said no trace of the thieves could be found.

He said: “I've got to explain that they have gone to the visitors. It is really messed up. They were becoming more popular and part of a little family. We had one and I got hold of two more to keep it company. We were working hard training them to be handled and just coming up to the high season and now they're gone. It's an awful thing for someone to do.”

The charity farm recently offered to replace some of the chickens previously stolen from the village, and has been the target of several other break-ins in the past two years. Previous thefts have included a peahen and a goat named Butthead who was recovered in 2007 after a Watford Observer appeal.

Mr Conway said the ferrets had been re-homed from the National Animal Welfare Trust in Bushey.

Anyone with information about the animals is asked to telephone 01923 233841.