THREE seagulls were hit by a car and killed after yobs are believed to have thrown bread into the road in a deliberate act of cruelty.

The incident happened on Saturday in Prince William Parade, Eastbourne.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), who responded to treat the animals, said it was a deliberate act of cruelty to get the gulls run over.

It is unclear whether the motorist deliberately hit the gulls.

A loaf of bread was found on a wall by the road and pieces of bread had been thrown into the road.

One gull died at the scene, while another died on the way to treatment. Vets worked on the remaining gull for hours, but he died on Saturday.

WRAS founder Trevor Weeks said: “One gull had already died when Tony arrived. This gull had severe fractures to both wings and a fractured skull.

“The second gull had a broken back and passed away on the way to the hospital. The remaining gull was in a critical condition and WRAS’s vets and care team worked on the gull for several hours to treat him, but sadly they lost the battle Saturday afternoon. ” WRAS have contacted Sussex Police and are encouraging witnesses to contact police.

Duty rescue co-ordinator Chris Riddington said: “We believe an offence has occurred under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and would urge any person who witnessed the incident to contact Sussex Police.”