SWAN rescue centres in Worcestershire are being inundated with birds suffering from lead poisoning as a result of illegal fishing.

Wychbold Swan Rescue and the Bishops Wood Rescue Centre have treated more than 100 swans struck down by the poisoning.

Eight swans were taken to Bishops Wood Rescue Centre on Saturday.

"It's quite a concern to us that there are so many," said Edward Bird, who runs the centre, near Stourport-on-Severn.

"We have had 18 birds since the start of this month, all from the Worcester Bridge area.

"It's a no fishing zone there so we can't understand why so many are being poisoned.

"I work full-time but I manage to get a look on the way to work to see if there are any in trouble.

"We have to give them a course of injections to neutralise the effects of the lead but it can take quite a long time for them to recover."

The centre has collected three dead swans from the riverbanks, all believed to have suffered chronic lead poisoning.

"It just seems very odd that there are so many in such a short space being taken ill," said Mr Bird.

"You do the best you can for the birds but when you get large amounts like this it takes a lot of time and effort to get them treated.

"We started seeing birds with lead poisoning in September but this month has been particularly bad."

Jan Harrigan, who runs the Wychbold Swan Rescue centre, claims anglers illegally fishing along the banks are to blame for the rise in numbers.

"We've got 80 swans in at the minute all with lead poisoning," she said.

"It's from fishing tackle. I've seen people fishing there, although it's a no fishing zone - but people do cheat.

"I don't challenge them because how am I supposed to be down the river and looking after those at the centre?"

She said they had carried out post-mortem examinations on four birds that had died from lead poisoning over the weekend.