A THREE year campaign has finally ended in victory for animal lovers in Middlewich.

The Swan Support Group has been fighting for a permanent fence along the Trent and Mersey Canal in Booth Lane since 2008.

It is now being built after funds were unlocked by British Waterways and an agreement was reached with the town council and Middlewich Community Pride.

The Swan Support Group formed in 2008 after five swans were killed and another three were injured in three months.

But funds promised by Cheshire East Council for the fence were withdrawn due to cash shortages in October 2009.

British Waterways also supported the project but there were long delays as bosses insisted that the Swan Support Group should join the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

There were also concerns about the fence’s long term maintenance and opposition from nearby residents.

Lena Porter, of the Swan Support Group, said: “My hair’s gone a lot more grey since this started. It’s been stressful but joyful now.

“It was literally red tape after red tape. You’d think it was quite simple to put up a fence but obviously not.

“It was hard work and a bit annoying but there’s no point screaming and shouting.”

British Waterways released £2,500 for the project after the town council and Middlewich Community Pride agreed to step in to provide maintenance if the Swan Support Group folded.

Lena, who lives off Booth Lane, reserved special thanks for contractor Willis’s of Sandbach who are paying for part of the job out of their own pocket.

The post and wire fence is 400m and has three gates.

Its erection will be a relief for many Booth Lane residents who considered the temporary orange fencing to be an eyesore and was often vandalised.

David Baldacchino, waterway manager for British Waterways, said: “We’ve invested £2,500 for construction of the new fence which we hope will prevent the swans from entering the road and in doing so help reduce the risk of road accidents.

“The fence was installed after we were able to conclude an agreement with Middlewich Town Council and a local volunteer group about the long term maintenance of the fence.”