Swan 'torn apart and eaten' claim

Swans are common on the River Trent

Claims a group of men were seen catching and eating a swan near the River Trent are being investigated by Nottinghamshire Police and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

A fisherman said he witnessed the incident on Wednesday evening.

The fisherman was between Syerston and Elston, near Newark, when he claims he saw several men tearing apart a swan and then eating it.

He reported that one of the group was in the river trying to catch another swan at the time.

Graham Madge, from the RSPB, said it was a disturbing case.

The Metropolitan Police say they have investigated similar incidents in London, where several hundred swans have been reported missing.