THREE catapult-wielding teenagers killed two ducks at a beauty spot before attacking a man.

The 58-year-old victim was sat at Shirley Pond Park between 4pm and 4.15pm on Sunday when he saw the boys enter the park.

They started to shoot at the ducks before firing at the man and hitting him in the face, narrowly missing his eye.

He suffered a cut and bruising to his right temple and walked to Redbridge police station to report the incident before being taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Police say one of the boys was 12 to 14 years old, white, of slight build, around five feet three inches tall, and had light brown hair.

The two other boys are said to be about 16 years old and were taller and larger than the younger boy.

PC Sarah Miller, of Redbridge police station, said: “In the past few weeks there have been reports of youths in the Redbridge area firing catapults at street furniture and vehicles.

“It is important that the people responsible are identified before somebody is seriously injured.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Miller at Redbridge police station on 101 and quote reference 44160119062 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.