A SWAN is recovering after being found with a fishing hook stuck in her leg.

A rescue operation was carried out by the RSPCA, Leigh firefighters and members of the public at Pennington Flash Country Park in the town.

The struggling bird was transferred to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, where the hook was removed.

She is now being treated with antibiotics and it is hoped she will be able to return to the wild soon.

Lee Stewart, manager of Stapeley Grange, said: “Sadly this isn’t an isolated incident as we regularly receive birds injured by fishing litter.

“Since 2011 we have admitted 219 swans who have suffered from the effects of discarded fishing litter, including 26 so far this year.

“And that’s just swans – we also see other species such as ducks and herons which are admitted with injuries sustained from discarded litter.

“This swan was particularly lucky as some animals sadly die as a result of these injuries.”

Ian Potter, the member of the public who spotted the struggling swan, contacted the RSPCA and helped to rescue the bird, said: “Four RSPCA officers arrived with an inflatable raft, which we carried some 400 metres down a narrow path to the pond.

“With one guy on the raft and one wading in the water, the plan was to get the swan into the bulrushes and catch her.

“A long time later and no result, despite sterling effort, it was decided that another boat was needed.

“The RSPCA contacted the fire brigade and in no time at all they arrived.

“Following much discussion it was realised that a specialist section were best equipped for the task and they attended in due course, complete with another raft and more guys with dry suits to go into the water.

“With military precision they formed an arc and pressed the swan into the bulrushes.

“My sincere thanks to RSPCA officers Gina, Dan, Steve and Dave and the Leigh fire crew for an excellent result and for all of the time and effort that was spent assisting this creature in distress.

“It was an emotional ending and a happy one.”

Following the incident on September 26 the RSPCA is urging anglers to always take home their fishing litter.

Lee added: “It was a excellent team effort on this occasion to rescue the poor swan, and she is now receiving the best care possible.

“But we are always concerned that these rescues have to happen in the first place.

“Although most anglers do clean up after themselves, fishing litter is still a major problem and it is so damaging to wildlife – something we see first-hand all the time at the centre.

“We are urging anglers to remember to take home any litter, as discarded lines and hooks can easily snag water birds and other wildlife, causing terrible injuries and suffering.

“All it takes is a little thought and care and an animal’s life could be saved.”