The safety of Sussex segulls is at risk following a spate of serious gun attacks.

Concerns have been raised by wildlife organisations called to the Peacehaven and Saltdean area to rescue more than 15 seagulls shot by air rifles in the past two weeks.

With only one of the birds surviving and the others suffering "a slow and painful death", a reward of £200 has been offered to catch the culprits.

Trevor Weeks, county co-ordinator for East Sussex Wildlife and Rescue and Ambulance Service, said: "We have picked up more than ten injured seagulls so far. They are mainly being shot in the chest by an air gun.

"Air guns will not kill outright, they will cause a slow and long painful death. We are so concerned because whoever is doing it is just being cruel.

"These people are causing immense suffering and have no right to shoot seagulls. If people do have a problem with seagulls there are other ways of dealing with them."

Gayle Jackson, veterinary nurse at the Rottingdean branch of Coastway Veterinary Group, said some seagulls had also been brought in to her.

She said: "We are getting to the point where we are seeing one or two a day. All are coming from the same areas of Peacehaven and Saltdean.

"Each attack is getting more violent.

"The first bird hit is now on the road to recovery but the others have either been killed or had to be put down because of their wounds. The latest one was found in Saltdean and shot by four pellets all in the chest.

"There was nothing we could do.

"Not only is it really cruel to the birds but it is dangerous to humans as well - if whoever is doing this catches a person in the eye it would cause a lot of damage.

"We don't have a clue who is doing this. It could be kids but it could also be people fed up with seagulls who are currently mating and making a lot of noise."

A Brighton and Hove police spokesman said: "To destroy a bird without a licence is against the law. If there is evidence to suggest someone has been doing this then it could result in a prosecution. There could also be the possibility that whoever is doing this is also committing a firearms offence."

The reward has been put up by a Brighton woman, Rena Collins, who features seagulls in the poems she writes.

She said: "I am a lover of seagulls and think they are glorious creatures. They are part of Brighton and I cannot believe someone is trying to hurt them.

"As soon as someone gives information to the police and it is proven, I will give them £200."

Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 6070999.