Further to your article regarding the removal of swans from Willowbrook Road, Worthing, we would like to point out there were three trained rescuers (of which two were well experienced) involved in the removal of the swans.

The volunteers acted on behalf of the National Swan Sanctuary and not East Sussex WRAS, which does not have a remit to be involved in that area.

We understand Trevor Weeks spoke to Worthing Borough Council in April, when he asked the council to erect the fence around the swans.

It was also Trevor who called in the Environment Agency to investigate the dumped rubbish and litter to determine the household where it came from.

As part of the conversation, Trevor reassured the council the swans would only be removed if the site became too unsafe and/or there was a welfare incident which required action.

The Swan Sanctuary teaches all rescuers that swans, as with most wildlife, should only be moved or rescued if it is absolutely necessary.

We are sure Councillor Green would not have wanted the cygnets to suffer unnecessarily by delaying their rescue.

The main issue here is that the cygnets would have died had they been left. They were becoming covered in mud from the bank and starting to become waterlogged.

They would not have survived the night in that condition. Regardless of the activity of the uncaring local youngsters, the swans had to be moved to prevent their death.

The cygnets would have continued to have problems getting out of the water and, without 24-hour supervision, would not have been safe.

Trevor acted properly and professionally and, most importantly, in the best interest of the swans.

The energy being put into this criticism should have been ploughed into protecting the swans in the first place and these people should be thanking the efforts of WADARS, local residents, Trevor and our other volunteers for their hard work and effort.

-Murrae Hume and Kevin McIntyre East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service