The cygnets are being cared for at a wildlife sanctuary

There are reports that the swans at the Stryt Las Park at Rhosllanerchrugog had been attacked by local youths, throwing stones and firing air pistols at them.

Both North Wales Police and the RSPCA are investigating the incident.

An anonymous woman has offered a �5,000 reward for information leading to the culprits' convictions.

A post mortem examination revealed that the female swan of the pair had been savaged by a dog.

But RSPCA inspector Tim Jones said they had been unable to establish how her male partner had died four days earlier.

"It's very sad," he said.

Colony

"There's a lot of strong feeling locally about what's happened, but so far we've had no firm evidence to confirm that this was a deliberate attack."

Inspector Jones said the three day-old cygnets had been taken to a wildlife sanctuary near Nantwich in Cheshire and would probably be released into a swan colony on the River Dee when they were old enough.

Local councillor Stella Matthews said villagers were shocked by the swans' deaths.

"Everyone loved to see them," she said. "They've been here for nearly 20 years, even before the park opened.