A "happy ending is in sight" for an injured baby swan, as the RSPCA finally agreed to its rescue weeks after it was first reported in Ipswich.

Frances Byam-Rowlands and her husband Paul first spotted the family of swans in early July, but one month later noticed that the feathers on one of the cygnet’s wings were standing out a right angle.

When they researched into the condition, they found that it was likely to be 'angel wing', a deformity in the joint that means the bird can no longer fly, which can lead to premature death.

The couple contacted the RSPCA many times about the bird, in Alderman Canal, but there was no attempt to rescue it.

Ipswich Star:

According to the RSPCA, the bird was visited and found “still able to feed, preen and take care of herself” and so required “no further intervention”, but that another visit would be made following the latest report.

After the Ipswich Star reported the issue on Thursday (September 14), the charity said they would now rescue the bird.

Ms Byam-Rowlands said: “I am so relieved I could have cried. I just wish it had been done sooner. I believe if it had been caught sooner, it may have been rectified.

“We have watched them since they were quite small, and the thought of her just being left there to a grizzly end was just too much to bear. 

Ipswich Star: Frances Byam-Rowlands with the cygnets in Alderman Canal, Ipswich

“We have been on quite a journey but hopefully we have a really happy ending in sight. It is a lesson in not giving up.”

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “One of our officers made another check on the cygnet yesterday (September 14) and decided the best thing to do with regard to the welfare of the cygnet was to remove him from the canal as soon as we can.

"When that happens the cygnet will then be taken to a local wildlife hospital for assessment.”