Fish stolen from National Trust water garden

The fish were taken from Westbury Court Garden

A number of carp have been stolen from a water garden at a National Trust property.

The fish were taken from Westbury Court Garden, in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning.

Head gardener Jerry Green said people had netted the carp and passed them over the railings to someone who put them in a tank.

Gloucestershire Police is urging anyone with information to contact the force.

Originally laid out between 1696 and 1705, Westbury Court Garden is the only restored Dutch-style water garden in England.

It is currently closed for the season and is due to reopen in March.

'Distressing event'

A National Trust spokeswoman said the team did not know how many of the common and crucian carp were taken.

"In the process [they] damaged some of the fencing," she said.

"[It's] a distressing event for the teams who care for the property but also costly with having to arrange costly repairs, diverting funds and time from essential maintenance," she added.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said the force had received a report of a carp fish theft at the gardens.

"It is believed this happened at some time between 5pm on Monday and 7.50am on Tuesday," he said.

"Anyone with information can report this to police online," he added.

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