MORE than 100 swans have had to be nursed back to health in a rescue hospital near York in only six months.

Volunteers at the Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital in Brandsby said they worked "around the clock" to treat all the birds that had come into their care in 2006.

Looking back over a busy year, much of the hospital's work stems from careless fishing.

Hospital co-founder Dan Sidley said: "A female swan on the Selby canal was carrying a discarded line and hook from her leg.

"She was caught, treated and released back into her waiting family."

However, sometimes the injuries are more serious - and inflicted deliberately.

Mr Sidley said: "Cases which we find hard to understand are those where deliberate cruelty is inflicted upon the swans.

"We have admitted nearly ten swans into our care in the past three months alone, all injured by gun pellets.

"Out of this number, only one of the swans died as a result of being shot.

"These swans were brought in from a whole range of places, including Whitby, Pontefract, Selby and Worksop.

"We are liaising with the local police wildlife crime officers and RSPCA inspectors to try and catch those responsible."

The hospital admitted more than 30 abandoned cygnets into care this year, some from a few days old and others up to a month or two old.

All were reared at the hospital, and not one died.

As reported in The Press, a number of young swans have come from York, where torrential rain a few months ago fooled the inexperienced birds into thinking the wet roads were in fact rivers - and the white lines their reflections.

Another York swan got stuck in a disused and empty lock.

Mr Sidley said: "We responded immediately to the call and hooked her out of the lock.

"Very thin and weak, she will be kept at the hospital for a few weeks to fatten her up before her release."

Mr Sidley thanked everyone who had sent letters of support and donations to the hospital - which operates as a charity - over the past year.

He urged anyone who can help in 2007 to get in touch, by phoning 07763 424892 or visiting www.ysrh.org.uk.