Storm-stricken swan released after rock rescue

A swan rescued after becoming trapped in rocks on a beach during Storm Austen has been released back into the wild.

The bird was spotted on Barton on Sea beach on Friday afternoon trapped in a small gap in a cluster of large rocks close to the sea's edge by passers-by who alerted the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Jo Story climbed among the rocks to reach the male swan where she said after "carefully folding his wing in to his chest" she was able to pull him free.

He was taken to Bournemouth-based charity Wildlife in Need where he stayed to be checked over. After being found to be healthy and cleared to return to the wild he was released at Christchurch Town Quay on Wednesday morning.

Story said: "The poor swan had been blown into the rocks by the high winds that battered the south coast during Storm Austen.

"He'd somehow got trapped in a small gap in a cluster of large rocks and couldn't get himself out.

She said that after wrapping the swan in a towel, a kind passer-by stopped to help her get out from the large rocks.

After releasing the swan, she said: "It's wonderful to see them healthy and back in the wild where they belong."

Storm Austen caused disruption as it swept across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday.

Provisional Met Office data showed it brought a maximum gust of 69 knots (about 79mph) to the Isle of Wight.