ANIMAL lovers are mourning after a swan - one of a famous trio - was found dead.

The male and female mute swans have lived on the River Colne, in Wivenhoe, for about five years and had struck up an unlikely friendship with a goose.

But news spread something was wrong when residents saw the birds hovering near a corpse on the mud bank at Wivenhoe Quayside.

It is not certain how the female swan, called Pen, died but Chris Gibson, a retired nature conservationist from Wivenhoe, said there were no obvious signs of wounds and it is unlikely a healthy swan would be threatened by animals such as dogs or foxes.

He said: “Swans are powerful and can also fly. She suffered from the effects of oiling about a year ago so she may not have been in the best of conditions.

“Maybe she died and an animal had gone to investigate but her body has been swept away by the tide now so the trio has been broken up, which is a huge shame.”

The couple had cygnets when they were first spotted in Wivenhoe, which they later drove away - a characteristic of swans.

Within days they then embraced a goose and it has been with them on and off ever since.

Although swans do mate for life, it is expected the male will find a new companion in due course.

Mr Gibson added: “It’s a question of how soon and the appropriate time. Certainly I think some time during the winter.”

Throughout their lifetime, the odd family had been the subject of exhibitions, most recently at the Nottage Institute, and a mural at the side of a property in West Quay.

They also inspired the illustrated children’s book, Goose on the Loose, which follows Lucy Goosey as she tries to find her way home.

Authors Margie and Peter North will launch their book on Saturday in Wivenhoe Bookshop, at 11am.