A YOUNG family are desperately searching for more than 30 birds which flew away when the storm lifted the roof off their aviary in Prestwood.

Christopher Simmonds, 26, had cockatiels and budgies in his aviary, which he started two and a half years ago.

Since then he had been breeding the birds in his garden in Grimsdyke, but when the high winds hit on Monday morning the roof was torn off.

His mum, Helen said: "I woke up at about 6.30/7am and heard the crash.

"He lives next door but one to us. I saw the roof on the floor and all the birds had gone. It was really sad."

Christopher and his partner, Tanya, and their three-year-old daughter, Tegan, are devastated at the loss.

Helen said: "He was out there all the time. It was his passion."

They got one of the birds back last night as someone found it in their communal garden.

They managed to catch it by throwing a towel over it and even bought a cage to look after it overnight.

Helen said: "We need to get as many people looking out for them as possible- just to save their lives. That is our main concern."

The cockatiels are a variety of colours- some are white, some yellow and some are grey.

The budgies are green and there also blue ones.

Helen said: "They are not particularly friendly. But they must be getting very tried and hungry as the days go by. So it might be easier to catch them."

The family are all animal lovers- Helen runs a dog walking business with her husband and Christopher works for them.

She added: "I just wish I could have saved them. I leapt out of bed and ran around to his in my pyjamas.

"There was one cockatiel left by the time we got there and it just flew away."

If you think you have spotted one of the birds or have been able to capture one call Helen on 07792 371947.