A SWAN was rescued after being trapped with a fishing hook in it’s mouth in Burnham-On-Sea.

BARB Search and Rescue were called out to the distressed swan on Wednesday, aided by Graeme Thompson from Secret World Wildlife and Rescue Centre, after they were notified by a member of the public who was walking by the river.

BARB inshore rescue boat crew rescued the swan, and it was then taken to Secret World for treatment.

Nicola Round, from Secret World said: “The swan that was rescued from Lakeside is getting on fine.

“Sometimes it can take animals a while to recover from this kind of thing, but we are hoping to release it today (Wednesday).

“It has recovered really well, our animal carer Josie Nott assessed the swan and it will be released back into the wild.

Although, in this case, there was no lasting damage to the swan, Ms Round was quick to stress the importance of fishers clearing up after themselves.

“We urge people to please take care and not discard fishing tackle, and dispose of it properly.

“This swan was lucky but fishing hooks and lines can be fatal for swans and other wildlife.”