THE owner of a farm has spoken out about the "heartbreaking" consequences of a break-in which saw three teenagers spray his chickens with fire extinguishers.

Stuart Andrews, who runs Pimhole Community Farm in Bury, said he was "disgusted" at the latest crime spree at his property.

CCTV revealed how three teenagers climbed over a seven-foot fence and proceeded to trespass at the site.

Footage shows three boys, aged about 14 or 15, smashing the casing to gain access to two fire extinguishers and then spraying them inside a hen coop.

Three hens have died since the attack at about 8.20pm on Saturday night.

The teenagers also damaged CCTV equipment at the farm.

Mr Andrews, who co-founded Pimhole Community Farm with his late wife in 2004, said: "It is just sickening. The cameras can be replaced but to spray a fire extinguisher at animals is disgusting.

"I just cannot understand it. Up until now, three hens have died. They are part of the farm."

He added: "I had only left the farm 20 minutes before they arrived on Saturday. I had been bottle feeding our three lambs. I dread to think if they had got to them.

"They have also ripped the cameras out. They have done quiet a lot of damage."

The cost of the repairs will set the farm back by as much as £1,000.

The farm in School Street is widely known for its community projects, which involve giving young people across Bury the chance to meet the animals and learn about agricultural life.

Pimhole Community Farm shared about the incident on their Facebook page at the weekend, with residents responding to the post in widespread outrage.

Since then, Mr Andrews says he has obtained CCTV stills of the teenagers, and members of the public have come forward with names.

Mr Andrews says that the police have been informed and forensics have been to take evidence.

The Bury Times has contacted Greater Manchester Police.

The farm was previously targeted by thieves in 2014 when crooks broke in and stole about 25 pigeons, worth up to £1,000.

It was also hit by thieves in early 2012 who took livestock including doves, pigeons, rabbits and 15 hens.