A swan that had got tangled in fishing wire has been rescued.

The animal was found by a local resident who walks by the river in Evesham every day with their partner, keeping an eye on the wildlife and litter in the area.

The resident, who doesn’t wish to be named, said that this is not the first time they have found an animal in distress.

She said: “My husband and I walk by the river every day, looking out for the welfare of the river birds. At the same time, we pick up any fishing line or debris that may be harmful to them.

“There have been numerous incidents with fishing line getting tangled around the river birds so that speaks for itself!

“We know some of the fishermen and many of them do care, and do things right, but as with most things, it's the minority that spoil it for the rest.

“Can I again kindly ask any fishermen to please, where possible, clear away any fishing line. I know the majority do but again, this is an example of what can happen.”

Evesham Journal: Fishing wire and equipment collected by the local resident within "a matter of days"Fishing wire and equipment collected by the local resident within "a matter of days"

Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre were called to help the swan twice on Wednesday, January 26.

A staff member called Dean (no second name given) was unable to catch the swan at the first time of asking but was called by the resident later that day when the swan had left the water.

A spokeswoman of Vale Wildlife added: “Dean found the fishing line was caught around his beak with no injuries and luckily the hook hadn’t embedded itself, so was able to be untangled and released at the scene.

“Fishing related casualties are something that we sadly see far too often.”