People sprang into action after an injured swan was spotted on a lake in Ashford last week.

Dog walkers and residents in Singleton saw the distressed bird had a fishing line wrapped around its body and a hook stuck down its throat.

The incident took place on the bank of Singleton Lake last Friday night, and the event has resulted in council action being taken to prevent further similar incidents.

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Velta Lacis, who was out walking her dogs and was one of the first residents on the scene, said: “The dogs were very subdued. They must have known something was wrong.

“It was quite hard to watch.”

Fortunately, a lady wearing a top with a logo for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) walked past, and Velta called for help.

The woman, named Anna, a volunteer for the charity, managed to approach the bird.

Ms Lacis said: “Around four people helped. One lady brought a blanket and a man got his car to take it to the vets.

“It had a fishing line around it’s neck and body. The hook had gone down its neck – there was quite a lot of blood.

“The fishing line was very thin. We could barely see it.

“The lady from RSPB calmed the animal down. Even the swan’s mate came over and watched. I think it realised we were helping it.

“We were all a bit distressed.”

Ms Lacis filmed the people helping and posted it on social media, where scores of Singleton residents expressed concern for the bird’s welfare.

Chandi Dheerasekara helped transport the swan to Barrow Hill Veterinary Hospital, while his daughter, Minoli, also created a poster to raise awareness of what happened.

At the hospital in Maidstone Road, Ashford, vet Lindsay White and veterinary nurse Kirsty Streator operated on the swan under general anaesthetic to remove the hook stuck in his pharynx.

Mrs White said: “We kept him in overnight because he was a bit dopey after the anesthetic.

“The procedure took about 45 minutes in the end because of his mouth being small, but I don’t have any worries. I think he’ll be okay.”

The swan was released onto the lake on Saturday morning.

Mrs White added: “We could see the female swan when we went back to release him.

“It’s a nice thing to be able to release them.

“They’re nasty fishing lines. I have never seen this in wildlife before. It’s rare to see it in a swan.

“Unfortunately, these are things that need to be removed so give the RSPCA or local vets a call.

“It can just be an accident, but if everyone takes their rubbish home as much as possible, it minimises the risk.”

The incident has quickly resulted in Ashford Borough Council vowing to take action against anti-social behaviour on Singleton Lake going forward.

Cllr Brad Bradford, portfolio holder for highways, wellbeing and safety, said: “We are aware of the incident and continue to be disappointed that people are being irresponsible and leaving rubbish around the lake, and that this is having an adverse impact on the area’s nature.

“People must take all of their rubbish away with them.

“We also believe this to be an issue with illegal fishing on the lake.

“It is only the responsible members of the Ashford Angling Association who have the right to fish on the lake.

“Through the Public Space Protection Order that we have in place we aim to crackdown on this and the anti-social behaviour in the area, which we know has blighted the lives of those who enjoy the lake and its natural habitat, as well as nearby residents.

“We will now seek to issue fixed penalty notices (FPN) that will cost individuals breaching this order £100.

“If the FPN is unpaid then the individual may face prosecution.”

The council also stressed that member fishing is only permitted during daylight hours.

Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council praised residents who helped and Barrow Hill vets for treating the injured swan, adding: “This was a very unfortunate incident and we hope it won’t happen again.

“It is a good reminder to all to be mindful of their environment when visiting the lake.

“It is not only fishing line and hooks. Other materials can be equally harmful to wildlife.”