A POISONED swan had to be rescued by firefighters after a worried member of the public saw the bird's head drooping as it swam on the River Severn.

The passer-by contacted The Swan Rescue Centre at Wychbold, yesterday, which then alerted Worcester firefighters.

The frightened swan was discovered with a fishing line and lead attached to it.

"The swan was in distress," said Leading Firefighter Tony Richardson, from Worcester Fire Station.

"He had lead poisoning as his neck was dropping down a bit and was finding it difficult to feed."

An inflatable boat was used to rescue the bird near to Worcester College for the Blind's rowing club.