ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner and naturalist photographer Nick Lay has spoken of his upset after discovering a fox which he believes was shot by youths with air guns.

Mr Lay, from East Tilbury, has been responsible for restoring and managing an area of waterway near the village which has become a sanctuary for water voles.

He took to social media to say if foxes which live in the local rural landscape he says: "Love them or hate them personally I love them. Did anyone happen to see some youths this afternoon with air guns around the public footpath area leading upto the lakes?

"It's totally against the law to shoot in public areas and dangerous to other people walking by - and especially more so if your walking with your kids."