They have become a common sight, bouncing around the grounds of two East Riding schools.

But wild rabbits in Bridlington are set to be culled, sparking outrage from animal lovers.

The rabbits can be seen around Martongate Primary School and Headlands School, but children hoping to spot them on their return from the summer holidays are likely to be disappointed.

Bridlington RSPCA volunteer Caroline Sheffield has hit out at the "unnecessary" extermination of the animals, which can also be spotted at Bridlington North Library, known locally as the Martongate rabbits.

The 46-year-old, who takes in unwanted and neglected pet rabbits, said: "These lovely creatures are not harming anyone.

"I can't imagine it's a population control issue as I went down to the fields this week and spotted just five of them.

"It's not like there are farmers here concerned about crops in this area.

"People I've spoken to are outraged by it."

Rabbits are classed as vermin and it's legal to cull them by shooting, netting, using ferrets to flush them out of burrows, or gassing.

Mrs Sheffield contacted the Mail after hearing the cull was planned for this week, but she believes it has not yet happened.

East Riding Council confirmed Bridlington Schools Services Ltd, which owns the land at the two schools and library, had approached the authority about a cull.

The Mail tried to contact the organisation but no-one returned our calls.

Mrs Sheffield said the rabbits look healthy. She said: "The rabbits look healthy and show no signs of Myxomatosis.

"Local people will miss seeing them everyday if they disappear.

"Schools are supposed to encourage children to appreciate nature but it would seem that this does not extend to rabbits.

"There's been no consultation with the public about this. I just can't see any logical reason for these creatures to die."

Pensioner Audrey Morfoot, who lives on Sewerby Road nearby the schools, said: "I'm an animal lover and I don't like cruelty to animals.

"Rabbits can cause damage but I wouldn't want anything to happen to them."

A spokesperson for East Riding Council said: "The landowners asked the council' view on the cull and we said we had no objections as long as it was done so humanely and sensitively."