TWO much-loved piggies were back in their pen at a Suffolk farm shop today - just days after being stolen by rustlers.

Richard Cornwell

TWO much-loved piggies were back in their pen at a Suffolk farm shop today - just days after being stolen by rustlers.

Rare kune kune pigs Bramley and Pippin were found after police received a tip-off from someone who saw the animals.

Officers went to a wood in Needham Market and found the pair in a pen.

Today owners Nigel and Jane Smith were overjoyed at having the pair back at Goslings Farm Shop in Trimley St Martin.

Mrs Smith said: “It's fantastic.

“We are so pleased because so many people were upset at what had happened.

“It's great having them back.”

Mr Smith said: “It's brilliant - I wasn't sure if we would ever see them again.

“The police said they had received a call from someone who saw a person moving two pigs and thought it was unusual.

“They were then found in a pen quite well hidden.”

Pig rustlers stole the pair from the farm shop in High Road on November 5 night.

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.

Suffolk Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.

A £750 reward was offered for their safe return which will be considered once the police investigation is complete.

The kune kune pigs are a popular attraction at the farm shop - people of all ages visit to see the pigs and feed them apples.

The endangered breed comes from New Zealand - their name means fat and round in Maori - and was brought to Britain in 1992 to try to secure its future as it was felt a good idea to have a number in another country in case of disease in their homeland.