A struggling swan has flown away despite attempts to free it from fishing line.

Roger Williams was walking near Millennium Park in Maidstone when he stopped to take a picture of the protected bird in the River Medway.

Mr Williams said: "As it came up close I could see a fishing line coming out of its mouth. It was going round its neck down to its leg.

"It was getting more and more tangled."

The managing director of Intelligent Linking in King Street phoned the RSPCA, which passed him on to The Wildlife Trust.

He said: "I waited on the phone but all I got was a response not to touch the bird without gloves. I'm not sure who else to call."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "We received a report of a swan which had become caught in fishing litter on a river in Maidstone this morning.

"An RSPCA officer attended along with the police rescue team to attempt to rescue the swan but unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the team, the swan could not be contained and flew away.

"If anyone has any further concerns about this bird, please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999."

Kent Police confirmed its officers assisted at the scene.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.