CRUEL yobs have been shooting birds on Redditch's Arrow Valley Lake with an air rifle and then taking their bodies away in black bags.

Horrified staff at the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre are appealing to residents to help them catch the two young men, who have already "decimated" wildlife in the north of Arrow Valley Park.

"I can't believe some people's cruelty," said Adrian Collingwood, a supervisor at the centre.

"The thugs have been targeting water birds such as moorhens, mallards, swans and grebes and taking their bodies away in black bags.

"Often, the poor accuracy of these weapons means the pellets are not lethal and instead cause horrible injuries that result in a lingering death."

Mr Collingwood added: "The wildlife in the pools and river in the north of the park has been decimated over the last few months and the pair have now been seen at the main lake.

"With many of the waterfowl being fed regularly, they are extremely tame and it's feared they will be easy targets," he said.

"Feeding these birds gives many visitors a great deal of pleasure but as a result, they show little fear of humans and provide no challenge to someone with an airgun."

The men are white with dark hair and in their late teens or early twenties. They are thought to live in the Lakeside area and are usually accompanied by a black Staffordshire bull terrier, which has scars on its head.

They use an air rifle, which they conceal in a jacket or under their arms.

RSPCA spokesman Judith Haw said: "This is a case of mindless cruelty and is totally unacceptable.

''We would urge anyone who sees this going on to call the police or the RSPCA on 0870 5555 999."