Swan 'blown into tree' is rescued at Pennington Flash

The RSPCA said the swan should make a full recovery

A stricken swan that was "blown into a tree" during stormy weather has been rescued by the RSPCA.

A passer-by called the charity after spotting the swan, wedged in tree branches, in Pennington Flash Country Park, near Leigh, on Sunday morning.

Animal collection officer Derek Hampson called the fire service who felled the tree to help him reach the bird which was around 30ft (9m) up.

He said he was "confident" the swan would make a full recovery.

"We had to wade through a ditch full of deep water and climb up a muddy bank to reach the tree and we had to cut the tree down to get to the swan as we couldn't reach her by ladder," he said.

The swan was found in Pennington Flash Country Park, near Leigh

"As the fire crews brought the tree down slowly, by getting it to fall into another tree nearby, I managed to use my reach and rescue pole to grab hold of the swan and ease her out of the tree.

"I believe she'd been there for a couple of days and it seems as though she'd been blown into the tree, where she got trapped, by strong stormy winds as she tried to take off nearby.

"She had some bruising and cuts to her wings and was underweight but I'm confident that, after a few days of treatment and food at the vets, she'll be strong enough for release."