The RSPCA have sadly confirmed that the male swan from Astbury Mere, who was receiving treatment at Stapeley Grange has had to be put to sleep.

An RSPCA spokesperson told Nub News: "We thought the fishing hook was the cause of the swan being unable to walk properly so that is why we went to rescue him.

"But when we did an x-ray we found a severe fracture up the leg, so the vet made the decision to put him to sleep to end his suffering."

Nub News previously reported that an RSPCA animal rescuer had to dive across the water to save the injured swan with a fishing hook embedded in his leg.

Animal Welfare Officer Steve Wickham previously attended the scene but was unable to entice the swan towards him so returned on Tuesday (May 26) with a water rescue boat.

He steered the boat close to the injured swan on the lake and Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Lauren Bradshaw was trying to use a specialist pole to safely grab the bird - but he kept escaping.

In the end, Lauren had to jump off the boat, run through the water and dive for the swan to rescue him.

The swan had a fishing hook through his leg - which Lauren was unable to move - and was taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, near Nantwich, for treatment, before he sadly died.