IT is unlikely Shaun Foggett will be bothered by burglars any time soon.

The 30-year-old has a collection of pets that should keep unwelcome visitors at bay.

Mr Foggett keeps 24 crocodiles and alligators in his Witney home and now wants to open a sanctuary for the reptiles.

The joiner has been saving for the past two years and has secured much of the £100,000 start-up-costs – but now needs a location.

Mr Foggett said: “I have got the largest collection of croc-odiles in the UK. The crocodile zoo will be the first in the country – there is nothing else like it. Most places just carry one species of crocodile as they are not set up to handle any more.”

He needs about 5,000 sq ft or more to set up the enclosures, and has already written to farmers and some of the country estates in the Witney area.

“Lots of people have been interested, but with not enough room,” he said.

Mr Foggett lives with fiancee Lisa Green, 29, and three children Billy, six, Louie, four, and eight-month-old Shania.

The unusual pets are kept in purpose-built housing in his garden at Bibury Close.

He said: “To be honest, the crocodiles have always been around since before the children were born, so it is very normal to them.

“The children like to go in and look at them, but that is as far as it goes really.”

Miss Green, who owns Reids Hair Salon, in Witney, helps look after the creatures.

Mr Foggett said: “The neighbours all know the crocodiles are there, but they have never wanted to come around and see them.”

Keeping the reptiles at a constant 25C and fed with rodents and fish costs £8,000 a year.

Mr Foggett has successfully bred 15 baby West African dwarf crocodiles – the first private breeding of the species. Five have gone to new homes, while the remaining 10 will be part of the zoo.

He also keeps three of the five most endangered species – black cayman, which can reach four metres, Cuban crocodiles and a Chinese alligator.

Mr Foggett first kept reptiles aged 17 and started his crocodile and alligator collection, which requires a dangerous animals licence, eight years ago.

He said: “People think these animals lie in rivers waiting to attack the next human walking past, but there is a lot more to them.”

To help Mr Foggett with his search, visit crocodilesof theworld.co.uk or email shaun.foggett@crocodiles oftheworld.co.uk