ALMOST 400 exotic fish have been stolen from a York garden centre.

Burglars raided Wyevale garden centre, in Northfield Lane, Upper Poppleton, and stole 388 fish, worth thousands of pounds, over two nights.

The haul included 30 Koi Carp, worth £200 each, 20 Ghost Koi, worth £100 each and 20 Shubunkins, worth £80 each.

A police spokeswoman said the rare fish had just been delivered on Tuesday evening and they were still in their bags when they were stolen.

The burglars first struck between 6pm on Tuesday and 8.30am on Wednesday and then returned for more fish on Wednesday night.

It is believed the burglars may have stolen the fish to order.

A spokeswoman from Wyevale garden centre said that large numbers of saracomet, goldfish, golden orfe and green tench had also been taken in the burglary.

She said: "It is such a shame, especially as we are coming up to the weekend and lots of children visit the centre especially to see the fish. There will be a lot of disappointment."

She warned people not to buy any fish unless they were certain where they came from as the stolen fish are likely to be in a poor condition.

The spokeswoman said: "It is very likely the fish are very stressed from being transported. They need proper care to survive and it is likely that these fish will be in a bad condition and may not live long.

The fish are a variety of colours and sizes. But Shubunkins, a variety of goldfish, are a distinctive blue and orange mottled colour and golden orfes are either blue or orange.

Anyone with any information should phone York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 12:19 Friday, April 04, 2003