TWO rival swans have survived for a whole month without food in the pitch dark of a canal overflow pipe at Claines, Worcester.

The previously magnificent pair - both males named Percy and Gazza - were unable to stand up, turn round, feed or preen themselves as they sat trapped in the bare, damp culvert.

After surviving against all odds, they were found this week, bedraggled, dirty, traumatised and 12lbs thinner.

They had gone missing on Wednesday, December 28, when Percy is believed to have chased Gazza into the 60ft long culvert.

"Percy is about 12-years-old and Gazza is the young pretender. They are very territorial and were always fighting," said Margaret Smith, who lives at the lock-keeper's cottage and feeds them every day.

"Percy always won and Gazza always came back with his tail between his legs, but this time they disappeared overnight and there was no sign of them.

"We thought they must have killed each other. Their mates, Pru and Zara, have been waiting for them ever since."

But late on Monday afternoon, while feeding the remaining swans and ducks from her garden, she heard a swan calling to his mate.

"I found Gazza popping his head out at the opening of the culvert, where water pours down a four-foot drop from the canal.

"I managed to haul him out," said Mrs Smith.

Feeling sure the two swans would have been together, Sandy Lee, of Bishop's Wood Swan Rescue, went back yesterday morning with a spotlight and found the elderly Percy still in the culvert.

"He didn't make any noise and looked very sick and weak," she said. "When I got him out he was very cold and he is now under a heat lamp, after having a multi-vitamin injection.

"He has taken food and water, but it's touch and go whether he will survive.

"The younger bird is on his feet again, but they are both very thin. They have gone from about 27lbs each to about 15lbs."