A Berkshire wildlife charity has said that they are ‘horrified’ after discovering an injured swan that had been shot in the head.

Rescuers from Swan Support, located in Bray, were called to a body of water between Hayes and West Drayton on August 14 by a lady and her daughter.

The rescuer said that the swan appeared to be swimming in circles in the water with injuries typical of being shot in the head.

It is also thought that the swan was the victim of a dog attack according to her injuries.

After being rescued from the water, the animal was rushed to the local vet for treatment.

X-Ray's discovered that a metal nut had been shot into the swan's head.  It was removed, and the wounds were cleaned and stitched.

The owner of Swan Support said: “It’s so concerning that something found so easily in many shops is now being used as “ammunition” - honestly we despair!

“We will continue to do everything we can giving antibiotics, pain killers and eye drops….however she is not out of the woods yet and at this stage we don’t know if she will permanently lose her sight!

“Please if you have any information, saw anything or knows who could be responsible for this heinous attack on a defenceless juvenile please call the police or us on 07968 868172.”