ANGLERS are being urged to get rid of their fishing tackle with care after a discarded line severed a duck's leg in Stockton Heath.

The female mallard duck was picked up by RSPCA animal collection officer James Hogg-Robinson last Friday at Acker's Pit, a well-known fishing spot in Ackers Lane. A length of fishing line was twisted tightly around both its legs.

The bird was taken to the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, near Nantwich, for treatment but on closer inspection it became clear the line had cut through the bird's right leg, causing such severe injuries that left the RSPCA with no choice but to destroy the duck.

Dr Andrew Kelly, ecologist and manager of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, said: "It was a heartbreaking sight to see this mallard in such obvious distress.

"Sadly, it is all too frequent for inspectors and animal collection officers to find water birds caught up in fishing lines.

"We are devoting more and more time in coming to the aid of animals which are suffering because of anglers' litter. These incidents can easily be avoided if people thought more carefully. Anglers should always dispose of fishing line and hooks safely.

"We accept that the majority of anglers are responsible, clear away their rubbish and even act as our eyes and ears, often reporting injured wildlife. However, as with all things, a minority often spoil it for the majority."

A report published by Dr Andrew Kelly and vet Sinead Kelly in 2004 revealed that injuries caused by lost or discarded fishing tackle was the largest single cause of mute swan admissions to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Hospital between January 2000 and December 2002. It accounted for 17 per cent of a total of 1,493 swans admitted over the three-year period.