A SHIPSTON aquatics shop left high and dry after raiders stole £40,000 worth of exotic fish, reptiles and equipment last month is on course for a full recovery.

Avon Aquatics on the Tileman's Lane industrial estate was back in business five days after the overnight raid on its premises on Friday, January 18.

But owners Becky and Richard Morgan are only just beginning to feel the shop is getting back to normal.

"I'm still programming my till but we are slowly getting there," said Mrs Morgan, who has been buoyed up by the news that police believe they have caught those responsible for the raid during a similar burglary on a garden centre aquatics shop near Oxford earlier this month.

Mr Morgan has been to Banbury, where he was able to help police identify some of his stolen stock.

"He could see some livestock there but he wasn't allowed to remove that. They had all the wrong species in with each other," said Mrs Morgan.

During the January raid offenders stole countless marine fish, including yellow tangs, dories, sea horses and clown fish, the species featured in the blockbuster cartoon Finding Nemo.

They also stole reptiles, including water dragons, geckos and chameleons, and all the live corals, together with the specialist lighting needed to keep them alive.

"They took our till, the safe, every scrap of money on the premises, a lot of office equipment and computer databases. They even took the charity boxes off the counter," said Mrs Morgan at the time.

She added: "We are the fourth shop in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire to have this happen."

The shop, which is still closing on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow staff to catch up with the backlog of work, has received a lot of support from customers.

"We have a lot of regulars and they have all been very sympathetic.

"The suppliers have also been very good and understanding," said Mrs Morgan.

She said security had already been tightened at the premises and they were looking to do more to prevent further break-ins.

"We are back on an even keel and gearing up for the pond season in Easter. This is a very busy time of year," said Mrs Morgan.