FIVE swans were plucked from a diesel spillage after a British Waterways boat sank in the River Severn.

The birds were caught on the river near the city's Cathedral.

British Waterways alerted the Environment Agency, which called on Jan Harrigan of the Wychbold-based Swan Rescue to retrieve the swans.

But she was forced to call out firefighters to rescue the birds on Saturday, December 29, at about 11am.

"It has been a successful mission," said Mrs Harrigan, speaking at the scene.

"But we'll have another look on the river because there is still some diesel around.

"It came from a boat that sank in Diglis Lock, but I don't think there was anyone in it at the time.

"The swans are coming back to the centre but we'll have to wait and see how they are."

Seven firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade dashed to the scene in one engine and an emergency tender.

"The swans swallowed a bit of the diesel and they're also covered in it," said leading firefighter Gary Southam of the brigade's Red Watch.

"We used our inflatable boat to catch them and they didn't put up much of a struggle really, it must have been because they were feeling a bit sick."

The boat, a 28ft patrol launch, sank during the afternoon of Friday, December 28.

"British Waterways called us out and they've also put down absorbents," said a spokesman for the Environment Agency.

"The situation is now being monitored by us and I think the boat is going to be lifted some time next week."