MEMBERS of the Upton-upon-Severn unit of the Severn Area Rescue Association came to the rescue when a swan and her cygnet became entangled in fishing line at Fladbury.

The crew happened to be on hand because they were inspecting the banks of the River Avon for suitable launching sites for their rescue boat.

"We had helped to bring a body ashore at Chadbury Lock on Friday and that prompted us to go back and examine the river from Evesham to Fladbury in case of future emergencies," said chairman David Walker.

At Fladbury they were called in to help a swan caught in fishing line and one of her eight cygnets, which was also wrapped in line, with a hook in its foot.

"It was a bit tricky, because the father didn't want us anywhere near the mother. We got a few pecks, but you learn to move rather rapidly and we managed to remove the hook and line," said Mr Walker.

Members of the unit had spent two hours rescuing two sheep from the River Severn at Clevelode, near Malvern, the previous day.