Thieves steal Prince Charles' stock of Christmas geese - and leave barn burning with 800 ducklings inside

Intruders have stolen almost £20,000-worth of organic geese destined to be sold under the Prince of Wales's food label.

The thieves took 350 Wessex White Geese - worth £50 each - from a secured barn and loaded them into a getaway lorry.

They also set fire to the barn, leaving 800 ducklings - worth a further £12,000 - to burn alive inside as the farmers and their young children watched helplessly.

The adult geese from Higher Fingle Farm in Crockernwell, Devon, were to be sold at Sainsbury's under Prince Charles's Duchy Originals brand.

The label has now lost its entire stock of Christmas geese.

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Giving up: Farmers Rona and Nevil Amiss

Organic farmers Rona and Nevil Amiss, who have supplied Duchy Originals with free-range poultry since 2001, are so devastated by the November 30 attack that they have vowed never to keep geese again.

Mrs Amiss, 40, said: "I don't understand how anybody could commit such a despicable, evil act.

"We woke up at 4am to find the barn on fire. Four of the children were awake and had to watch as the creatures they helped to rear died in a horrible way."

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Burnt out: The barn where 800 ducklings perished

"I have written to Prince Charles to tell him we can't do it any more.

"We received a reply from his Private Secretary expressing their regret and support. It was very touching."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We are treating the fire as suspicious."

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Stolen: The farm's stock of Christmas geese were stolen