NATURE reserve manager Ray Jackson is to meet security firms with a view to increasing security following the theft of foxes from the reserve.

Tame foxes Alice and Rift were taken from Lower Moss Wood Educational Nature Reserve and Wildlife Hospital.

The foxes were stolen after their pens were broken into, and Ray is looking to make the pens more secure and increase security at the reserve in general.

This includes a CCTV system, which has been installed free of charge by a firm since the theft, which sparked a huge response from the public to an appeal for funds for security improvements.

The appeal by reserve volunteer Gaynor Charles has raised £14,765, thanks to donations from more than a thousand people.

Ray thanked everyone who had donated to the appeal, and said the money would make a major difference to the reserve.

Gaynor said: “I’m astounded by the public’s generosity, which proves how much the British public love our wildlife and foxes and feel they should be protected.

“The money raised by the online donations page will help the reserve so much.”

Cheshire Police is investigating the theft of the foxes, and is appealing for information from the public about the whereabouts of the foxes.

Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting incident number IML 310905.

Anyone who would like to support the appeal can do so at gofundme.com/f/lower-moss-wood-animal-hospital-and-sanctuary