A REWARD has been offered by conservationists to catch thugs who shot dead two swans at a Radcliffe beauty spot.

They now fear a sinister "designer pet" trade could spread to the area if efforts to clamp down on the barbaric killings are not heightened.

Two youths went on a shooting spree in Starmount Lodges, off Browns Road, on December 9, killing a cygnet and adult swan, and leaving a third bird with serious head injuries.

The pair then turned their air rifles on a passer-by who had tried to prevent the shootings. The swan population in the Bury area had all but died out a few years ago but it has since blossomed, with eight pairs recorded as trying to nest this year. Rick Parker, organiser of Bolton Conservation Volunteers, said: "We think this shooting was done for fun. We want to catch these people and we have put up a £50 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders."

He said that there were worrying signs that swans were being targetted by animal villains.

"Not only are eggs being pinched, but we have evidence in Bolton and Wigan that cygnets are being stolen for some kind of designer pet trade.

"There is a whole spectrum of swan atrocities developing and we want to tackle this.

"While we have not actually seen anyone doing it, birds have been disappearing for no reason. They have been ghosted away."

Mr Parker said the Bury area had been relatively free of attacks on swans until the Radcliffe incident.

Anyone with information should contact PC Roy Hodkinson on 856 8223 or Mr Parker on 01942 817302.