Not since the Allies and the Russians divided up Berlin has there been a split of such titanic proportions.

But this time round the divide has moved further west, with the English and the Canadians declaring war on each other.

But rather than it being humans preparing to do battle, it is a pair of geese and a couple of swans.

Relationships have got so bad between the Canadian geese and English swans that wildlife rescuers have been forced to erect a net across their pond to separate them.

It is hoped the Berlin Wall-style mesh will stop them attacking each other as they nest on an island at Peelings Lane Pond, Westham, near Eastbourne.

The geese were first to arrive and had four youngsters but, shortly after, a pair of swans nested on the island and laid a clutch of eggs, which they are waiting to hatch.

As hatching time gets closer, the male swan has begun to get very territorial and refuses to allow the Canadian geese and their goslings to get back on to the water.

Dot Beesom, of the National Swan Sanctuary advised rescuers from the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) to construct a barrier between the warring parties.

Trevor Weeks, WRAS rescue co-ordinator, said: "We have had several local residents phone us, concerned about the safety of the goslings. I was unsure what to do at first so spoke to the National Swan Sanctuary for advice. Dot advised us to construct a barrier across the pond, that way the Canadian geese could swim safely on part of the pond without being attacked by the male swan."

Rescuers Alec Anscombe, Jill Pawson, David Clark and Mr Weeks worked for almost four hours on Friday putting in posts and stretching an orange plastic fence across the pond to divide it for the birds.

Mr Anscombe said: "We have threaded rope top and bottom of the plastic mesh fencing to hold it in place and we have even weighed it down in two places. We've never had to do this before but we understand that it has worked elsewhere.

"Over the past few weeks the swans have not allowed the geese much time on the water, which is essential to the health and development of the goslings. As the swans are nesting on the island we have had to exclude the geese from using it. It would also have been risky to work on the island as mum may have abandoned her nest."

WRAS is looking to provide a floating platform for the geese to use in the pond. Materials for the raft will cost WRAS about £60 and an appeal for public donations has been launched to cover the cost.

WRAS is also urging members of the public to feed the swans and geese separately at either end of the pond to try to prevent the Canadian geese and swans changing sides.

Mr Weeks added: "As we were leaving the pond this afternoon the Canadian Geese were already having a swim in the water with their youngsters. It's nice to see them feeling safe enough to go back into the water."

Anyone who spots a problem or has concerns about wildlife should contact WRAS on 07815 078234 24 hours a day in an emergency.