A STRUGGLING swan stranded on a muddy island has been rescued by firefighters.

Firefighters were called to save a badly injured swan near Quay Street, in Manningtree at 11.47am on Monday.

On arrival crews found the swan was severely struggling to move and had found itself on a muddy island around 50 metres from shore.

An Essex Fire and Rescue spokesman said crews used a rescue boat to reach the bird and were able to bring it back to shore by 2.03pm.

The swan was left in the care of the RSPCA.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "Working with firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service RSPCA officers used a boat to round up the bird on the water.

"The swan was unable to use its wing properly and was taken by the RSPCA to one of its wildlife centres, but the swan is extremely poorly with severe damage to its wing.

"We are grateful to the fire service for their help in rescuing this beautiful swan, which would have been extremely vulnerable had they have been left in the wild with this injury."