TEENAGERS tormented a swan after trapping it on the Moor last week.

The six youths were seen harassing the bird for more than 30 minutes on Thursday teatime.

A young mother who walked past the boys said they were catching the bird in a net and throwing it into the pool.

"They just cornered it and then threw it back into the water," she said. Others called the Knutsford

Guardian to say the boys were chasing the swan and seemingly trying to throttle it. The 21-year-old mother said she did not want to antagonise the gang by speaking to them.

"They obviously thought it was fun but they were acting like bullies," she said.

"I think the swan was dazed and just didn't know which way to go."

The Knutsford Guardian informed police about the incident on Monday and they promised to prosecute anyone caught attacking wildlife.

The Queen is reportedly outraged at the increasing number of attacks on swans in Britain. They have been classes as a royal bird since at least 1186 and all of them belong to the Crown.

One man was recently charged with criminal damage after throwing stones at a swan and injuring it.

On Monday Knutsford Inspector Craige Arterton urged the public to contact officers next time.

"If anyone sees this happening again we would like to be told because there are potential criminal offences happening," he said.