Police in Helston have issued a warning after a "potentially lethal" crossbow bolt was found in a field of horses on the edge of the town.

The six-inch-long bolt was discovered on private land near Weeth Farm, above Helston boating lake, two weeks ago.

Karen Hurst, from Weeth Farm, who keeps horses on the land, said the animals had been behaving strangely around the time the bolt was found.

She said: "They were going berserk. I came out to see what was going on and they were terrified. One mare had gone lame from galloping round in a frenzy. She is still terrified and won't move from the corner of the field."

Mrs Hurst said someone must have gone into the field to fire the bolt, which had been found lying on the ground.

Helston neighbourhood beat manager PC Nigel Treloar said the bolt could have seriously injured or even killed one of the horses.

"It is potentially lethal," he said. "If it hit them in the wrong place it could kill them. A bolt like that with a sharp point could be embedded in an animal for some time and cause a very nasty injury."

PC Treloar said the use of such crossbows in private was legal, but anyone misusing one faced serious consequences.

"We would take it extremely seriously if we were to find anybody in possession of such an item," he said. "This is not the kind of thing we want to find lying around. If someone got that in the eye they would be dead."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Treloar at Helston police station on 01326 555158.