SICKENED people in Gwent want to take action after yobs battered a swan to death by throwing bricks at her.

Scores of letters from angry and distressed readers flooded in after the story was reported in the Argus last Wednesday.

Stunned residents living near the canal in Cwmbran where the swan's body was found are shocked by what police described as an "abhorrent act".

So much so that Lynne Bodman, of Belle Vue Road, Cwmbran, and many others are setting up an appeal to raise funds for the remaining swan and to help find the culprits.

Swan Rescue volunteer Mal Salter, 43, is also backing the appeal. "The swan was lying on her nest surrounded by bricks - it was absolutely barbaric, it's made us feel sick to the stomach.

"You can't even call the people who did this human. Everybody who lives around here loves the sight of the swans, and this particular bird has been here for at least 13 years."

Mrs Bodman, who works at Oak Street surgery, said: "The swans have brought so much pleasure to so many people over the years. It makes you wonder what sort of society we live in when a person can stone and kill a defenceless animal that was just trying to protect her eggs.

"They are sick and deserve to be given the same treatment. How can they sleep at night?"

She added that the swans should be protected.

"The nest is exposed, the canal is covered in green weed and there is rubbish around.

" We have all been touched by this tragedy so much that we have set up the appeal to help the remaining swan and his babies, if they survive, for food. While he is nursing the eggs he is afraid to leave the nest."

She added that the remaining funds will be used as a reward for anyone with any information that can help prosecute the offenders.

Local children Remi and Sky Liddle, aged nine and ten, and Adele Morgan, eight, wrote letters detailing their anger withthe swan's killing and left them at the canal. One said: "I am very angry about what happened to the swan. When I walk to school I feed them and loved seeing her..."

Cwmbran's crime and disorder officer, PC Darrell Dewar, said: "This is an abhorrent act, and we will be making every attempt to bring those responsible to justice. We would urge anyone who has any information to come forward."

If you would like to help the appeal call the Oak Street surgery on 01633 489091 or Cwmbran Pet Store on 01633 863068.

If you can help police with their inquiries, call PC Dewar on 01633 642054, or Swan Rescue on 07802 472788.