Video: See two swans covered in oil rescued in Milton Keynes

The swans were spotted yesterday by a concerned canal boat dweller called Rich on the canal near Great Linford.

He also spotted a black oil spillage in the water near bridge 75, which is between Great Linford and Stantonbury.

Rich spent the day trying to to get help for the poor birds, who were being chased off by other swans.

"These two really touched a nerve with me. It really upsets me to see wildlife like this," he said.

Today experts from the Swan Sanctuary drove 65 miles from their base in Shepperton to rescue them and clean them up.

Grateful Rich, an artist who makes upcycled jewellery from copper pipe, has now launched a fundraising page to pay for the care of the swans, who he has christened Bev and Kev.

"I thought this would be a lovely way to have a whip-round to go towards the cost of their care," he said

Rich appealed for donations via his Facebook page called Bike & Boat, and within hours the £100 target was exceeded.

You can see the fundraising page here . You can also watch a video of Bev and Kev being rescued by the Swan Sanctuary experts this morning.

The swans have been taken back to Shepperton for treatment and will be re-released into the wild when they are fit enough.

Oil can be dangerous and debilitating for all water fowl as it destroys the waterproofing and insulating properties of plumage. The bird may then suffer from chilling and is often unable to fly or remain afloat in the water.

Direct toxic effects on the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and liver can occur if the bird tries to clean itself and ingests some of the oil.

Rich is now battling with the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency to come out an clean up the oil spillage as soon as possible.

"This needs cleaning up before it does more damage," he said.

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