ANGER and sadness has been expressed by supporters of a local country park following the death of a goose after being mistreated by a group of people.

The Friends of Wick Country Park reported on the incident after rescuing an injured goose and taking it to South Essex Wildlife Hospital at Orsett, but unfortunately the bird did not survive.

The incident happened over the weekend and is now being investigated after being reported to the Essex Police wildlife officer and the park ranger.

A statement on the Friends' Facebook page says: "Sadly the goose didn't survive. A group of people unfortunately treated it as 'plaything'. One of visitors went the extra mile and managed to get the goose seen by the Wildlife Hospital for which we are grateful but the bird didn't survive."

The Friends are a group of local people that support Basildon Council in its management and monitoring of Basildon's Country Park at Wickford which comprises 50 acres of former agricultural land.

There are more than 2km of easy access trails that take you around the site. Trails lead you past old hedgerows, the five acre lake, ponds, WWII pillboxes and recent woodland plantings. Bridges and boardwalk allow the trails to continue over the North Benfleet brook.