Eighty sea birds shot on beach

The kittiwakes were shot on a beach in South Shields

More than 80 sea birds have been shot dead and laid out on a beach in South Shields to spell the word "death".

The kittiwakes were found at a National Trust beauty spot at Marsden Bay in South Tyneside.

It is believed an air rifle was used to kill the birds.

David Hirst, spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "It is an appalling and very sickening incident."

The RSPB runs educational visits to the National Trust site but no school parties were at the beach when the kittiwakes were found.

It is believed the birds were shot with an air rifle

Bird lovers were horrified at the discovery on Wednesday morning.

David Hirst said: "It is a shocking act against these attractive and harmless birds."

He added: "This kind of wildlife vandalism is all too common."

It is a criminal offence to shoot wild birds.

Offenders can face fines of up to £500 per bird or six months in prison under powers introduced in the Wildlife and Countryside Act.