HUNDREDS of pounds worth of ornamental fish have been stolen from outside the corporate headquarters of Hyundai UK, in Easton Street, High Wycombe.

The theft of three ghost carp and eight comet goldfish was discovered by Hyundai data administrator Lindsey Morant on Tuesday last week.

Ms Morant brought some fish food from home to entice the fish out of hiding after the cleaner reported that she hadn't seen them swimming about at all on Monday.

But the food failed to bring the shy fish to the surface and closer inspection revealed that pond reeds had been disturbed and even pulled out in places and the mud on the bottom of the 4ft pond had also been disturbed by someone wading in.

Ms Morant was particularly saddened by the loss because she had owned the three ghost carp since they were babies donating them to the company six months ago when they outgrew her fish tank at home.

Ms Morant said: "I was very fond of them, but I didn't mind keeping them in the pond here because they are very popular and people always stopped and looked at them and asked me how they are getting on.

"When I realised they had been taken I was quite upset."

Ghost carp can live up to 60 years and cost around £70 each when young.

They lived in a fish pond inside St John's Court, protected by 6ft tall electronic security gates which were locked at the weekend.

The company has had fish stolen from their pond once before several years ago. That time thieves took even more expensive koi carp.

Police are investigating the theft which took place sometime between Friday night and Monday morning at 6am.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.