A NEWPORT couple are putting up a reward for information leading to the arrest of two youths seen shooting swans from the banks of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Roger and Valerie Hillman, of Blaen-y-Pant, Bettws, witnessed the incident when they took their grand-daughter to feed the two swans on Sunday.

The female swan had to be taken to a special hospital in Evesham by Swan Rescue South Wales, but they were unable to catch the male.

The Hillmans are offering a £100 reward to anyone able to help police catch the offenders, who are believed to have been using airguns.

Mr Hillman said: "This is diabolical. We just want to do something to help the police get hold of these mindless yobs.

"My grand-daughter is just a baby, but my grandson loves feeding the swans. It is absolutely gutting that somebody could do this."

The incident happened on the canal near Hollybush Close.

Mal Salter, of Swan Rescue, said: "Newport is getting worse and worse for this.

"I had the call at 10.30am on Sunday that these two yobs had been seen shooting the swans.

"The female swan was very distressed and had two bullet holes, one below the bill and one above the eye, but she's doing quite well at the moment and seems to be holding her own.

"The male was still flying around, but we'll need to catch him to check him over before we put him and the female back on the canal. We also found a moorhen dead. It had been shot in the chest."

PC Eddie Evans, of Bettws police, said the youths were described as being aged 13 to 14. One was wearing a white hooded top and the other was wearing a grey and navy-coloured top.

He said swans were the property of the Crown and it is a criminal offence to attack them.

l Anyone with information should contact Bettws police on 01633 244999.