A charity has offered a £1,000 reward for information after a fox was shot in the face with a crossbow.

RSPCA officers were called after the fox was found crouching by the road with the bolt going straight through the front of his face and out of his neck.

The terrified animal was taken to a vet who carefully removed the arrow - which fortunately missed his brain by a whisker.

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The fox is now recovering at The Fox Project in Tunbridge Wells, after being found with the horrific injury in Bromley, south east London on Saturday.

The charity has offered the reward for any information that may help identify the person who shot the animal in the face.

VIDEO: There's a £1,000 reward to find the perpetrator. Josie Hannett reports

RSPCA inspector Ellen Thomas said she thinks someone must have shot at the frightened creature while he was running away, because of where the arrow entered and exited.

She said: "This bolt was firmly lodged straight through this fox's head - horrific.

"This would have caused this animal a great deal of pain and distress, but he is lucky to be alive.

"If the arrow had been any closer to his head he would have died, it just missed his vital organs.

"As it was we were called in time and it is hoped he will make a good recovery so he can soon be released back to the wild."

Terry Woods, who carries out up to 600 fox rescues a year for The Fox Project in Tunbridge Wells, was called to tend to the fox on Monday evening.

He took it to the centre where it is recovering and will eventually be released back into the wild.

Causing bodily injury to a wild animal using a crossbow is against the law under section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

If you have any information about the fox's injuries, contact the Fox Project on 01892 824111