FIND the pigs!That's the cry today as the Evening Star stepped in to boost the reward to trace loveable Bramley and Pippin who were stolen from a farm shop at Trimley St Martin.

FIND the pigs!

That's the cry today as the Evening Star stepped in to boost the reward to trace loveable Bramley and Pippin who were stolen from a farm shop at Trimley St Martin.

Everyone in the area is hoping and praying the popular pigs, the rare kune kune breed from New Zealand, didn't end up as barbecue fodder or pork chops for bonfire night.

Owners Nigel and Jane Smith have put up a £250 reward for the animals' safe return, the National Farmers' Union has added £250 and today the Evening Star is adding another £250 - making a total of £750 on offer to get the pair back where they belong.

Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “These pigs were a well-known attraction in this area and were loved by children and adults.

“We want to support the efforts to get them back safe and alive to their home and so are increasing the reward on offer. Let's find these pigs!”

Pig rustlers stole the pair from Goslings Farm Shop in High Road on Wednesday night and nothing has been heard of them since.

The fence at the front of the shop had been broken and it appeared the pigs had then been herded through the hedge into a truck. Boards used to steer the pigs were found discarded in the hedge.

Mr Smith said while someone would have needed a bit knowledge about pigs to have taken the pair, they would probably not have resisted - they loved people and only some food would have been needed to entice them away.

Anyone who has any information about the theft of the pigs should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.

Help us put together a picture gallery of Bramley and Pippin - email us your photos of the pigs to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk

What do you think of the thieves? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

FASTFACTS: Kune kune pigs

Kune kune are a small pig and their name means fat and round in Maori.

They came close to extinction in New Zealand in 1970 until two wildlife park owners, Michael Willis and John Simster, heard about the pig, managed to buy 18 and set up a studbook and saved the breed.

Kune kunes arrived in Britain in 1992 - two breeders decided it was a good idea to have a number of the endangered breed in another country in case of disease in their homeland.

The animals are between twenty four and thirty inches high, and 120 to 240 pounds in weight, completely covered in hair and can be cream, ginger, brown, black and spotted.

The most unusual feature of most kune kune pigs is a pair of tassels, called piri piri, under their chin like a goat.

Owners say they are calm and very friendly animals and love human company.