Three shoot and kill river swans

Two swans have been shot and killed by men with air rifles.

Police said three men were seen using bread to entice the swans to the bank of The Embankment on the River Nene in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

They then shot the birds and dragged them out of the water, one of the men falling in as he did so.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who has any information about the shootings, which happened on Friday evening, to come forward.

Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act it is an offence to intentionally injure, take or kill a wild swan.