THE article in The Press regarding the swan returned to Whitby after being shot (Wrzel goes back to wild, September 22) contained the statement: "We blood-test all swans for lead poisoning, which is picked up from anglers' weights."

The swan in question is stated to be six years old. Anglers' lead weights were banned from January 1987, therefore it follows that this particular bird would not be affected.

Also, as it was injured on the coast, it would not have been able to ingest the weights used by sea anglers, as they are of a size that would not allow this.

We have emailed our support for this swan hospital as part of our involvement with the York Natural Environment Trust. I trust it was accepted in the spirit it was sent, because all of the organisations concerned promote the preservation of our natural wildlife.

R. Hutchinson, General Secretary, York & District Amalgamation of Anglers, St Clements Club, Count de Burgh Terrace, York.