An injured swan gave wildlife officers the slip – three times.

The swan was reported to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) by concerned members of the public.

But every time members of WRAS attempted to rescue the swan it hid.

A WRAS spokesman said: “We sent an ambulance out three times last week after reports of an injured swan at Shinewater Park in Eastbourne. Every time we have attended the swan kept moving and hiding in the reeds so we can't find it.

“Luckily a kind member of the public picked up the poor swan on the last call out and kept hold of her till our ambulance arrived. She was badly injured and was rushed to St Anne’s Vets with serious injuries to her body and badly fracture wing.”