Two swans have been killed with a shotgun close to an Aberdeenshire nature reserve.

The birds were found at St Combs beach on March 23, a short distance from the Loch of Strathbeg reserve.

One swan, a female, had been hit by one shotgun pellet and a male swan had been shot with four.

Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Shand said: "A post-mortem has revealed the pair died from a massive haemorrhage caused by gunshot trauma.

"We don't think the swans were residing at the beach but the Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve is nearby and swans are known to live there.

"We aren't sure how they came to be on the beach. The bodies may have been dumped there or could have been washed ashore.

"This sort of animal cruelty is completely unacceptable and we are urging people with any information to contact us in an effort to trace whoever is responsible."

The Scottish SPCA has appealed for anyone with any information to contact them on 03000 999999.