A wildlife organisation has launched a campaign to get members of the public to blow the whistle on people who are cruel to animals or kill wildlife.

Respect for the Countryside, a voluntary organisation which cares for and lobbies Parliament for animal rights, launched the phone line on Friday.

Anyone who sees, hears or is aware of any cruelty to animals can call the number in confidence and report their concerns.

Callers do not have to leave any personal information and the group will either pursue the case or take it up with the police.

June Christie, a volunteer with Respect for the Countryside, which is based in Littlehampton, said the campaign was launched after the organisation began receiving an increasing number of reports about cruelty.

She said: "It may be that someone is taking pot-shots with an air gun at squirrels or a kid is shooting at birds on a bird table with a catapult.

"They may be the sort of things that the police and organisations such as the RSPCA are too busy to investigate."

The campaign also wants motorists to report drivers who hit an animal and then drive off, often leaving the creature suffering.

Last week a deer was hit in Graffham near Midhurst. Its spine was broken but it was alive. A member of Lord Cowdray's estate shot the animal to end its suffering.

Andrew James, director of Respect for the Countryside, said: "We want to know the number of the vehicle in front that has just hit a badger or deer and left it to die.

"We are interested in the neighbour taking potshots at garden birds, or someone setting snares for animals to get caught in, or the lampers that are trespassing and poaching."

The hotline is on 01243 870803.