A pet cat has undergone surgery after it was shot with an air gun in a Norfolk village.

Police are appealing for information after Milo was badly injured in the Bramble Gardens area of Belton last Monday.

His owners said the cat had gone out as usual in the morning but when he returned home later was limping, which is when they noticed a bleeding wound to his front leg.

An x-ray revealed Milo had been shot in the leg with a pellet. Vets in Great Yarmouth were able to operate on him and remove the pellet.

Metal pins have been inserted in his leg and Milo is being kept indoors for eight weeks, after which vets will know if they surgery has been a success. If not, his leg may have to be amputated.

A spokesman for Norfolk police said: 'It's possible the animal may have been injured anywhere in Belton so police are asking anyone with information about someone using an air weapon in the village around this time to get in touch.'

Milo's owners are concerned other cats may have been injured and may not have survived similar attacks.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC David Punter of the Southern Villages Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.