ANOTHER swan has been killed in Middlewich after being hit by a car.

The bird was hit on the Booth Lane stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal between 4pm and 6pm last Thursday and is believed to have been dragged down the road under the vehicle.

Animal lover and member of the Swan Support Group Lena Porter said: “You could tell it had been dragged along the road because it was filthy dirty.

“Someone had just put it on the side of the road near to Leaps and Bounds Nursery.”

This is the third of the Middlewich swans to be killed on the road and several others have been injured prompting the Swan Support Group to press forward with their plans to erect a permanent fence to keep the swans off the roads.

The group has already put up temporary plastic fencing, but is keen to have a permanent and more secure structure built to stop the swans from wandering across the road in search of food.

It is estimated that the 550 metres of fencing required will cost in the region of £2,500.

Lena is hoping that some of the nearby businesses may contribute.

She said: “If they each gave £50 or something that would pay for 10-metres of the fence.”

Cheshire County Council has already said it would erect warning signs on the road and has agreed to review the speed limit.

The Swan Support Group plans to meet with Middlewich Town Council, Cheshire Police and the Highways department in the coming weeks to decide on the best course of action for the swans.

If you would like to make a donation to the fence call Lena on 07814 618476.