A Portland family believe a social networking website is to blame for the theft of their week-old ducklings.

The Seymour family were devastated to discover that four of the 12-strong brood had been stolen from their smallholding.

Maxine and Nick Seymour and their 17-year-old daughter Lily, of Weston Road, are strong supporters of animal rights and regard all their animals as part of the family.

Proud Lily had put pictures of the new arrivals on her Facebook page, which Mrs Seymour believes prompted the theft.

She said: “I think it’s probably children that did it. I just think they saw them on the internet and thought they were cute and decided they would help themselves.”

The family keeps three pigs, a pony, chickens, and a turkey at Haylands Stables in Haylands Road on Portland, but it was the first time they had kept ducks.

“The animals are so important to us, they’re part of the family,” said Mrs Seymour. “I’m feeling angry and really upset that they were taken from us.”

The Seymours rescued the drake a few months ago and set out to find him a mate, naming the mating couple Ron and Tracey.

Mrs Seymour, 49, said: “They are just common old ducks – we don’t know what type they are.

“Lots of kids come down and help us with the animals and we’ve had lots of people coming to see the ducklings.”

The four baby ducks were stolen between 9pm on Monday and 6.30am on Tuesday.

Mr Seymour, 47, who works with people with learning difficulties, went to tend to the animals on Tuesday morning and discovered they had gone.

Mrs Seymour said: “He knew straight away they had gone because they’re his pride and joy. He was devastated.

“The door is bolted now but it wasn’t at the time because you don’t think for one minute someone would steal them.

“The parents were so distressed and calling out for them. The other ducklings are a little bit more nervous than before.”

Two of the stolen ducklings were black and two were black and yellow.

She said: “Hopefully, they will survive and hopefully we will get them back.”

Mrs Seymour has sent a message out to the thieves. She said: “Just put them back where they have stolen them from.”

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01305 222222.