A KESTREL had to be put to sleep after it was shot and left badly wounded.

The adult bird was found on Christmas Day, in Ryedale close to Amotherby and was taken to Jean Thorpe, who rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife.

She took the kestrel to a vet and it was x-rayed and found to have a badly broken wing with metal fragments throughout.

"Clearly the bird had been illegally shot," said Jean.

“The radius was shattered. Kestrels have to have perfect wings to enable them to hoover to catch food. This bird would not be a flyer once the bones had calloused and sadly it was put to sleep.”

A police spokesman said: “This is another terribly sad incident which has resulted in the death of a majestic bird of prey. Someone out there knows who is responsible for firing the shots that severely injured the kestrel."

Anyone with information should ring 101, select option two and ask for Jez Walmsley.