A REWARD has been put up to help convict a brutal gunman who has been maiming a neighbourhood's cats.

Worried residents in Clayton-le-Woods say they fear their children could be the next targets after being plagued by the air rifle fiend for months.

The Spring Meadow neighbours - who have had to fork out hundreds of pounds in vets' fees to save their gunned down pets - claim to know who the vicious culprit is.

They have printed and sent out notices to fellow residents, offering the reward to help bring about a prosecution.

Already four cats have been shot in separate incidents.

Jane Gauld's Winston suffered severe leg injuries. Her husband James and son Alastair, 13, thought at first he had been hit by a car.

She said: "We took Winston to the vet the next day and found out he had been shot and his leg was shattered in three places.

"He had to have a plate put in it and has needed three operations so far, costing over £300 altogether.

"One of his legs is still strapped to his body. He's always been an outside cat and he's miserable if he's indoors but we can't risk letting him outside the garden. "He's Alastair's pet and we're hoping he'll recover but if he's in too much pain we'll have to have him put down if he loses his leg. He won't be able to defend himself - it would be too cruel.

"We thought it was one of the kids messing about with an air rifle. But we went round to tell some of the neighbours to look after their cats and one said he might know who had shot Winston.

"We've spoken to the man we think is doing it and even though he knows we know, it hasn't stopped.

"It happens in fits and starts. We have told the police but they say they can't do anything without evidence. All we can do is keep our pets and children away from this person."

Teacher Barbara Mitchell, aged 49, whose family has two cats - Gismo and Jenny - said she knew of six instances of them being shot.

"One had two plates in him. The little female was very seriously injured. The pellet travelled along her spine - it was quite a big operation to get it out.

"Seeing this cat dragging itself in, covered in blood . . . the children were very upset."

A spokesman for Chorley Police said: "I can confirm there have been incidents and we are investigating."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.