A sea bird was shot with a crossbow at a scenic beach in East Lothian, police have said.

The herring gull was found at Yellowcraigs Beach, near Dirleton, on Tuesday with a crossbow bolt through its wing and neck.

It was taken to a vet but had to be put down due to the severity of its injuries.

Police say they are keen to find whoever is responsible for the "despicable act".

Constable Andy Loughlin said: "When the bird was found it was still alive, but had sustained injuries that it could not recover from.

"It would have been in a tremendous amount of pain and at this time we do not know how long it had lain there injured.

"The only humane course of action was to put the poor creature down.

"We are eager to trace the persons who carried out this despicable act and would urge anyone who saw any suspicious activity on Yellowcraigs Beach, or the surrounding area, to contact police immediately."