A 16-year-old boy is on bail after a joint investigation by police and RSPCA into the shooting of a black-headed gull in a Kent seaside town.

The gull, a protected species, was found injured in Pier Avenue, Herne Bay, at around 3pm on Thursday.

The bird had suffered an airgun wound to its wing and due to the severity of the injuries was put down by a local vet.

An investigation resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old boy under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

The boy, who lives in Margate, will be questioned again on Friday, March 17.