TWO swans rescued from a contaminated Worcester pond have been released after recovering at a sanctuary.

The breeding pair were plucked from the pond in Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne, Worcester, after several tens of litres of oil spilled into the water.

They were taken to Bishops Wood Swan Rescue Centre and cleaned by volunteers before recovering with other swans.

Volunteer Nick Lee said: “They were not as bad as some, but they were bad enough.

“They were quite stressed so we waited a day before washing them. It was then a case of waiting for the water proofing to get back on their feathers.

“We also treated them just in case they had swallowed any contaminated water but they are feeding well.”

As previously reported in your Worcester News, the drama unfolded on Friday, November 14.

Firefighters, park wardens and the Environment Agency battled to limit the damage from the oil.

Officers from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service used inflatable buoys to contain the spill and used absorbent pads to mop up the pollutant.

Park wardens drained the pond into the river Severn to allow the volunteers access to the distressed birds.

As blackened water gushed through the sluice gates, volunteers waded into the pond in a bid to catch the birds.

They were finally captured and taken to the centre near Stourport-on-Severn.

The Environment Agency launched an investigation into how the water became polluted and were in discussion with the company it believed was responsible.

A spokesman for the agency said: “We have invited a company for interview under caution.

“We are continuing our investigations into several possible offences. We are extremely pleased the swans have made a full recovery.”