CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ANIMAL protection groups and conservation teams left a dead swan floating in a river for more than a week while they worked out who was allowed to touch it.

The dead swan was first seen by a passer-by in the River Avon at Gladstone Footbridge, Chippenham, last Monday. But a range of experts from the Environment Agency, RSPCA, RSPB and North Wiltshire District Council refused to move the dead bird.

After eight days the environmental health team at North Wiltshire District Council, based less than a quarter of a mile away, pulled the swan out.

Rivers route warden Alan Wethers first reported the dead swan on August 9. He said: "I reported the dead swan to the Environment Agency on Monday but when I spoke to them again on Thursday they said it wasn't their problem. I said it could be polluting the water the voice just told me animals have been dying in rivers for years.

"So I asked the RSPB but a voice on the phone said they didn't know if they were allowed to touch it and there were health and safety issues.

"In the end the RSPCA told me to contact the environment department at North Wiltshire District Council.

"When I phoned them saying that this swan needed to be moved they said they didn't know if they could do anything because, after all, they are not allowed to touch owls."

The Environment Agency said it is not responsible for dead animals in rivers unless they cause an obstruction; the RSPB said the charity does not have the resources to pull dead birds from rivers; and the RSPCA has said it will only act in instances where they believe the animal has died as a result of cruelty.