A MYSTERY Newport woman offered a £200 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the brutal attack on two swans at Tredegar House.

The woman, who does not want to be identified, offered the reward after the incident which left a male swan seriously injured and its mate with severe head trauma.

The female swan was so badly injured she had to be put down to relieve her suffering.

RSPCA collection officer, Keith Hogben, who was involved in the rescue of the female swan, said: "The woman was very upset by what had happened and wants to help."

The male swan was recovered by Swan Rescue and rushed to a specialist swan rescue centre in Shepperton, near London, for treatment. Ellen Kershaw, of Swan Rescue, and her colleague, Peter Martin, rescued the bird.

Ms Kershaw said: "The swan is managing. He is terribly bruised and terribly traumatised. It's uncertain as yet whether he will keep his right eye. "There is a lot of pressure on his brain so he is on steroids to try to get the swelling down.

"He is being given painkillers and antibiotics, but is certainly not getting any worse.

"We think the attack happened very early on Wednesday morning, from the look of the blood at the scene.

"I will be contacting the local authority because I think they should be taking some kind of responsibility. There's been a long history of swans on the lake. It's very sad."

Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West, said: "I think it is dreadful to read about this mindless cruelty.

"There are swans that have successfully nested near residential areas and have been protected by the people. It is sickening to read these things."

Garry Brown, ex-ward councillor for Tredegar Park, said: "I'm just disgusted they can do such horrible damage. It's just shocking that these birds suffer at the hands of these yobs."

Anyone with information can call Gwent Police on 01633 838111, or the RSPCA on 08705 555999.