THUGS who shot dead three ducks on a Worcester pond have been dubbed "inhuman" by wildlife workers.

One mallard had been shot four times through the head and was left floating on the lake at County Hall after the attack yesterday.

"It's unbelievable that anyone could be so callous," said Peter Owen, custodian of the Countryside Centre.

"It really concerns me that anyone can be this sick. If they can do this to innocent birds, what could they do to humans?

"It's really sad anyone can resort to this behaviour - it's just inhuman."

Mr Owen said the ducks had been sprayed with pellets from an air gun, and is appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact him.

Two youths, aged about 16, and wearing anoraks were seen around the lake on Saturday night and again at 2.30pm yesterday.

"We're now trying to protect the remaining 20 ducks and the pair of swans who have just mated," said Mr Owen. "This lake gives a lot of pleasure to people, especially schoolchildren who like to visit the cygnets when they are born."

This is the second time the birds on the lake have been targeted by youths.

"Last year we had a spate of deaths included mallards which were strangled, beaten over the head with a branch, shot through the head and trampled.

"This led to a public meeting where we decided to create some islands in the lake in order to keep the ducks away from the edge, but they've not really taken to it. So we've decided to increase the patrols in a bid to put a stop to these cruel deaths."

If anyone sees anyone suspicious around the lake ring County Hall on 01905 766493 and after 5.30pm ring the security office on 01905 763763.