A WOMAN who has dedicated her life to helping stricken swans is in the running for Midlander of the Year.

Jan Harrigan has spent the last 30 years managing the Swan Rescue Centre, Wychbold, nursing injured swans and water birds.

Now she has been picked to go head-to-head with seven other outstanding citizens in the West Midlands, including Wychbold racing driver Matt Neal. Should she defeat them in a telephone vote next week she will go forward to the final round when she could be crowned Midlander of the Year.

"It was a surprise because I've never been nominated for anything like this - you just get on with your work don't you?" said Mrs Harrigan.

"It all started with one particular bird who came down the river and was in real trouble.

"I helped him out - and then the vet said there was another one that needed attention and it grew from there.

"I like all wildlife but swans in particular. Their lives are so good if they are left alone and they've got an intelligence that I don't think a lot of people appreciate.

"It was just me initially and there was very slow growth because there weren't that many swans around.

"There were only four pairs in the whole of Worcestershire. Now there are about 15 or 20. In many ways I do feel a responsibility for the rise in levels and that's quite a burden to bear."

Today, there are 10 volunteers working at the centre who deal with around 600 swans and water birds every year from across the Midlands. Mrs Harrigan has also led calls for lead fishing tackle to be banned as she claims it is the main cause of swan deaths.

"We've been doing quite a lot of work to do with lead fishing and trying to change the law. I'm not anti-fishing but lead poisoning is still very serious," said Mrs Harrigan.

Viewers of Carlton TV news will be able to vote on Wednesday, November 19.

Judges will choose the overall winner on November 26.