A WARRINGTON wildlife rescuer has saved the life of two swans after a dramatic rescue attempt down a 30 feet icy pit.

The birds, a swan and his cygnet, were saved in the nick of time as the freezing temperature of the water meant Cathy Clements, 43, and three firefighters assisting the rescue could not have gone on much longer.

They were 30ft below the ground in a disused circular reservoir at ICI in Runcorn (pictured) and did not have enough room to fly out.

It is not known how long the birds had been there but faced certain death if the rescue had failed.

"It was very difficult and if we had not got them out they would have died. We were having to break ice to get to them. I knew that if we did not save them soon we would have to give up until later because of the cold.

"If they had been left they would have died in there. They would have killed themselves trying to struggle out.

"I think the cygnet was on his maiden flight, had got tired and seen the water.

"The call of a cygnet is very strong and I think the father had gone in to get him and they became trapped.

"Cheshire Fire Service and ICI were marvellous and I could not have done it without them. It was one of the firemen that finally caught the swan."

The birds have now recovered and been released back in Runcorn.

Cathy, who has run her swan sanctuary in Callands for 10 years has rescued thousands of birds from robins to geese and also takes on other animals including rabbits and hamsters.

She is desperate to find homes and helpers in her wildlife campaign. With a hospital stay for spinal surgery soon, Cathy is expecting to be out of action for at least six months and is desperate for helpers to step into the role.

Donations are also drying up risking the future of the town and surrounding area's only wildlife sanctuary of its type.

Anyone who can help Cathy is asked to give her a ring on 636245.