Warwick anglers not responsible for poisoning

Jan Harrigan, who runs Wychbold Swan Rescue in Droitwich, picked up the male and female swans, along with their eight sygnets, earlier this month.

Blood tests showed the male had ingested a small amount of lead, which can be fatal.

But Tony Butler, who manages Baileys, the fishing tackle shop in Warwick, said: “We have not been allowed to sell lead floats for the past 20 years so the birds would not have become ill as a result of anglers.

“These days we sell weights made from non-toxic materials. I don’t know about lead in gunshot but the swans could have picked something up from the ground, as well as on the water.”

Jan asks anyone who could help with the loan of wheelbarrows wheh the birds are returned next Wednesday or Friday to ring 07786 434793.