The injured swan had a hook and wire wrapped around its neck, which worried bird rescuers.

A Barrow Bird Sanctuary spokesperson said: ‘We have had a report of a swan in Barrow Park having a hook and wire wrapped around its neck.

“We’re limited on our resources/equipment so unfortunately getting the swan out of the water wasn’t enough as he wasn’t interested.

“Fortunately the swan was healthy, but the hook was still very concerning.

“We took plan B action and called the local fire departments who never fail to disappoint with their efforts.

“They got out pretty much straight away with an inflatable raft, but unfortunately because the swan was healthy it was too fast for them to catch.

“We managed to reach the RSPCA but they couldn’t arrive until the next day.”

The charity received a similar report the same week after another swan became trapped in wire and a fish hook.

A spokesperson said: ‘We then had a separate report a few days later of a swan at Ormsgill Reservoir and this time a hook and line had ended up around the legs.

‘Fishing is prohibited in Barrow Park, but we are unsure of Ormsgill Reservoir.

“We understand that fishing is a popular pastime, but the disposal of hooks and wires should be done on the basis of health and safety and common sense.

“This should not be a recurring problem with these birds, especially a protected species, the swan.”

A few days later, the charity was contacted again after reports of a car intentionally hitting a seagull.

A spokeswoman for Bardsea Bird Sanctuary said it was “alarming” to see the number of gulls injured and left behind as a result of the incidents.

“We see that quite often when people speed up to run them over on the road, but most of the time they haven’t died, they’re in pain,” she said.

“If a member of the public can see a seagull in pain, they must visit a vet free of charge, we are limited in the availability of our volunteers.

“I’ve also personally seen young teenagers in Hollywood Park throw food in front of cars so the seagulls fly past them.

“It’s quite alarming to see how many seagulls are injured and left behind.

“As summer approaches we will need to be on the ball with seagull chicks as they tend to fall from their nests on top of houses, that is all we need with dangerous drivers. ”