Two lambs have died after being savagely beaten by a gang of teenagers in a country park in west London.

One of the lambs was found dead in a tree and another had to be put down by a vet after the horrific attacks at the Bedfont Lakes Country Park in Hounslow.

The animals were less than a day old when they were battered to death, according to police.

Other lambs were also injured in the attack but are expected to recover from their injuries, which are not thought to have been inflicted by another animal.

Police are now seeking three teenage boys over the attack, which happened between 4.30pm on Friday, April 10, and 7.30am the next day.

All three are described as between 16-18 years old. One is described by police as chubby with dark ginger hair, another is described as slim with gappy teeth and a third is slim with short brown hair.

PC Jody Whitehouse, the investigating officer, said: "I am appealing for any information to this despicable act which has not only caused distress to the owner but also to members of public who use the park and see the sheep on a daily basis.

"I am also appealing to the three males to contact us, or anyone who recognises them from the descriptions to contact us, so we can speak to them regarding this incident."

Bedfont Lakes is a 180-acre country park made up of hills, meadows, woodland and wetlands which is managed to protect the habitats of birds, wildlife and plants.

It is a designated Local Nature Reserve and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Hounslow Council, which runs the park, said in a statement: "We would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words as we have dealt with the distressing situation of losing some of our beautiful lambs and sheep. The remaining flock have been moved to a safer site.

"We would like to give a special thanks to the Met Police for their ongoing investigation to find the culprit.

"Bedfont Lakes Country Park is proud to have a wonderful array of animals for the public to see and enjoy and hope that this barbaric incident does not ruin the experience for others. "

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Whitehouse at Feltham Police Station via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.