A hunt is underway after a protected bird was found shot on Hampshire farmland.

A peregrine falcon was found injured on farmland near Stockbridge on March 11 by a member of the public.

The bird had suffered a broken wing, with the falcon a schedule one protected bird, with killing or injuring it a criminal offence.

The bird was placed in the care of the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Amport, with an x-ray revealing fragments of metal, consistent with shot wounds.

The falcon was originally ringed at Salisbury Cathedral in June 2014 when it was three weeks old, and is expected to make a full recovery.

It was treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatories as it was a 'clean' fracture.

It is hoped to be released into the wild in the next few days.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "We condemn the persecution of birds of prey, birds that we strive so hard to conserve. We are pleased to be rehabilitating this bird at the national bird of prey hospital and hope that it can be successfully returned to the wild, undoing the damage caused by this criminal act."

PC Stephen Rogerson, wildlife crime officer said: “This is a rare incident to take place. The bird may have either been shot at on purpose, or recklessly due to its predatory nature on rural estates.

“It was in fairly good condition when located, it was not malnourished and there were no signs of other injuries, which would suggest it had been shot in the local area fairly recently.”

Anyone that may have heard unusual shooting in the area of King's Somborne on Friday March 10 or March 11 is asked to contact police on 101 quoting 44170105280.