A shopkeeper has offered a £1000 reward after the theft of hundreds of Japanese Koi from his store in Churchtown, Southport.
Around 350 fish were taken from the outdoor vats at the back of The New Aquastore on Churchill Avenue last week.
The store's owner, Alan Bibby, told the Southport Visiter: "The people who stole the fish used their own nets and must have known what they were doing. They probably had a fresh water tank in the back of a van.
"I know that another dealer would have not been behind this. The trade is fairly close knit and we all play with a straight bat.
"This is a blow to the business, particularly at the start of the season. Conditions are not kind for any independent business at the moment, and we are not insured for this loss."
Mr Bibby is offering the reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of those responsible for the theft and the successful recovery of the stolen fish, which are valued at around £4000.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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