Antisocial swan removed from town

Reggie was seen trying to "drown" the native mute swans on the river

A black swan has been removed from a historic town after it spent nine months "terrorising" other birds and tourists.

The bird - named Reggie by locals - was captured by swan warden Cyril Bennis in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and will be rehomed at a centre in Devon.

Mr Bennis said the capture was "what has to be done" after the bird's behaviour, which included disrupting nesting swans.

A town resident added: "He's terrorised everyone else but we love him so it will be sad to see him go, but it's probably better for the river that he's gone."

Reggie the swan spent nine months in Stratford-upon-Avon before being captured

Mr Bennis said Reggie had attempted to drown the native mute swans and had disrupted the nesting swans on the river.

Reggie has since been taken to a vets before he will be rehomed at the Dawlish Waterfowl Centre in Devon.

"It's the best thing for him," said Mr Bennis.

"He'll have so many mates he'll be saying 'why in heaven's name did I spend nine months in Stratford-upon-Avon?'"

"But its people and its visitors will be very sad."