Two dead blackbirds found in a garden in Costessey may have been shot, the RSPCA said today.

Two dead blackbirds found in a garden in Costessey may have been shot, the RSPCA said today.

People in Green Hills Close saw one of the birds fall to the ground and then found the body of the other one on Thursday, February 4.

Post mortems have yet to be carried out, but the blackbirds had injuries to their necks, which are thought to be consistent with air gun wounds.

RSPCA inspector Carrie O'Riordan, who is investigating, said: 'It is illegal and unacceptable to use wild birds as target practice.

'We need to hear from anyone in the Green Hills Close/ Townhouse Road area who has information about this incident.'

It is illegal to kill or injure wild birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and the maximum sentence is six months imprisonment and/or a �5,000 fine.

Those with information should contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.