Vets have saved the sight of a swan which had to be rescued from a Norwich park when it got a fishing hook stuck in its eye.

And RSPCA staff are hoping the unlucky bird can make a rapid recovery, so he can be returned to his lonely mate.

The stricken swan was found in Wensum Park last month with a three-barb hook jutting out of his eye.

Two of the barbs on the hook had gone into the bird's eyelid, while the third had penetrated his eye.

The unfortunate swan was taken from the park, off Drayton Road, to the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre near King's Lynn, where vets carried out a delicate operation to remove the hook.

Staff have been closely monitoring the swan's recovery and so far it seems to have been a success, with all the signs that his eye is not permanently damaged.

The swan is on antibiotics and is being assessed regularly to make sure his injuries are healing.

RSPCA wildlife centre manager Alison Charles, said: 'This poor chap really has had a tough time. He is extremely feisty as a result of it and quite cross about it all.

'We know he has a mate waiting for him, so we are doing all we can to get him back out into the wild as quickly as we can.'

This is not the first time the luckless swan has found himself being cared for at East Winch centre.

During treatment it emerged he was wearing a ring which showed he had been treated there in June 2007 after he was contaminated with oil.

The RSPCA is currently working with the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and other swan rescuers to try to reduce the number of swans injured because of lost and discarded fishing tackle.

It has been estimated that 8,000 swan rescues take place each year in Britain, with 3,000 caused by fishing tackle.

• Do you have a story about an animal rescue? Call Evening News reporter Dan Grimmer on 01603 772375 or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk