THIEVES have snatched four chickens living in a coop made by students at Bournemouth’s Portchester School.

Tallulah, Clucky, Tinky Winky and Tinkerbell were living happily at the Harewood Avenue school and helping students with their studies until they were taken.

Now staff have appealed for their safe return.

The chickens were purchased as part of a curriculum study, which meant the boys had to house them, feed them and clean them out.

“Our lads are really upset. They had settled into a great routine and the fresh eggs every day were a great bonus” said school spokeswoman Dawn Jenkins.

The theft is the latest in a series of incidents involving the theft of chickens across the county, including incidents at Lytchett Minster and Lytchett Matravers.