A water vole suffered "massive internal injuries" after being dropped by a bird, according to animal rescuers.

The creature was discovered near the beach at K's Casino, off Marine Parade, Sheerness, after it is thought to have been picked up from nearby Barton's Point Coastal Park.

Volunteers from the Kent Wildlife Rescue Service were called to pick up the animal and took it to Trinity Vet Centre in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, where it later died.

Charity boss Lorraine St John said: "We presume she was picked up at Barton's Point Coastal Park because we know there's a population of water voles there.

"We think it was picked up by a bird and as it's flown across it's dropped the vole.

"It had massive internal injuries and it had blood coming from its nose."

Ms St John said the animal died as it was receiving treatment at the specialist vet clinic on Tuesday.

"We think it was picked up by a bird and as it's flown across it's dropped the vole."

She added: "When an animal gets hurt they become stressed because they're trapped and they see no way out.

"No one should stand by and watch an animal suffer in pain. Please call us and we can help by collecting them and making sure they get the right treatment."

The charity is appealing for donations of essential supplies including cat and dog food and paper towels.

It comes as shelves are being stripped amid panic over the potential spread of coronavirus.

For more information, search for 'Kent Wildlife Rescue Service' on Facebook or call the 24-hour helpline on 07824 893399.

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