A cash reward is being offered by animal-lovers after a swan was found shot dead in an East Sussex country park.

A member of the public found the swan in the Seven Sisters park, near Eastbourne, on Saturday.

The cob, or male swan, is a protected species and anyone successfully prosecuted for killing one can be jailed.

Staff from the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) were called to the park on Saturday to examine the bird, which had apparently been shot through the breast.

The bullet, not thought to be an airgun pellet, passed right through its body.

Trevor Weeks, rescue co-ordinator for WRAS, said: "This is a big bird and it hasn't been shot by accident. It's not a very nice thing to see."

A £1,200 reward is on offer for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of whoever shot the bird. The shooting is being reported to the Sussex Police wildlife officer.

Anyone with any information should call police on 0845 6070999 or WRAS on 07815 078234.