Four giant tortoises have been stolen from a college, rushed from their quiet shed in the dead of night in wheelbarrows.

The animals belong to Kingston Maurward college in Dorchester, and as giant tortoises can sell on the internet for £7,000 each, time to catch the thieves is of the essence.

The tortoises are called Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, all aged eleven, and Jeffery, aged 24, and it is thought the thieves entered on foot, before using college-owned wheelbarrows to transport the animals to a waiting vehicle.

Police Constable Chris Stephens, of Dorchester police, said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious overnight in the area to please come forward.