AROUND 40 chickens have been stolen from a farm in a night-time raid.

Police say the mix of wellsummer bantams and cockerels were snatched from an unsecured pen in the middle of a field in Waltham Road, Nazeing.

It happened sometime between 11pm on Sunday May 9 and 6.30am yesterday (Monday May 10).

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.