The owner of a Shropshire pet shop is appealing for the return of 17 rare tortoises which were stolen from his premises.

The baby Mediterranean spur thigh tortoises, which are worth a total of more than �4,000, were taken from locked tanks in specialist pet shop Pet's Corner in Shrewsbury.

They were just 10 weeks old and measured two inches across the shell.

Pet shop owner Simon Airey said he is becoming increasingly concerned about their welfare.

Protected species

He told BBC News Online: "They were only babies when they were taken and they are specialist animals which need specialist care.

"The type of people who would do this would not care about their well-being or have the equipment or the knowledge to care for them properly.

"I am very concerned and desperately trying to track them down."

Tortoises are a protected species and their importation into the country has been banned.

Tortoises which have been born and bred in the UK can be sold but must be certified. It is illegal to sell them without certificates.

Police search

Mr Airey added: "There has been no importation of the tortoises since the early 70s so there are very few of them about and they are relatively rare.

"I would be quite surprised if I didn't hear something about them in the future."

Detectives from West Mercia Police are now searching for the thieves and urging anyone who may have been offered a tortoise to contact them or Mr Airey.

Mr Airey said it was important to stress that the police had no interest in prosecuting anyone who had bought a tortoise.

"Our primary concern is the well-being of the animals."