A GUNMAN killed two swans as a group of youngsters looked on in horror.

It happened at the Moss Nook Angling Lake, Sutton, on Tuesday, April 25 and is the second similar incident to happen there in three years.

Four young anglers saw the man, aged between 30 and 40, climb from a white Peugeot 309 carrying an air rifle. With him were two boys aged between two and four.

He then walked over to where the two swans were and appeared to offer them some food. But when the birds approached, he shot both of them in the head and then walked back to his car with the two young children.

Police are now appealing for information. Detective Sergeant Tommy Wright of St Helens Police, said: "This was an unbelievably callous and cruel act, not only to kill these birds but to do so in front of young children. I have never known anything like it and I urge anyone with information to come forward."

Groundwork Trust's Eric Rutledge, the site manager of the Moss Nook site, added: "This is the second time two swans have been shot at the site -- the first was three years ago and there was also a Canadian Goose shot there last year. We have been in touch with the local police and are looking into the future security of the site."

Contact the St Helens Incident Management Unit on 0151 777 6969 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All information will be treated with confidence.