The swan was found dead in the water on Tuesday

The female swan was found dead with her neck and head wrapped in fishing line at Kenwith Reservoir, where fishing is strictly prohibited.

The swan was discovered on Tuesday and her distressed cob and cygnets were nearby.

RSPCA animal collection officer Diana Lewis and Inspector Kate Smith removed the body from the water and took it to the RSPCA West Hatch wildlife hospital near Taunton.

The male and the two tiny cygnets clearly knew she was dead and were very distressed RSPCA Inspector Kate Smith

Vet Glen Cousquer carried out a post mortem which revealed a 4 centimetre-long tear in the swan's oesophagus from the fishing hook.

"The sight of this little swan family was just heart-breaking," said Inspector Kate Smith.

"The male and the two tiny cygnets clearly knew she was dead and were very distressed.

"Swans pair for life, and someone's recklessness and carelessness in discarding fishing tackle has resulted in this beautiful bird dying what was probably a slow and painful death."

Barbless hooks

Fishing and boating are banned all year round at Kenwith Reservoir by Torridge District Council.

An Environment Agency report published last year showed that fishing tackle injuries are the biggest single cause of swan rescues - numbering about 3,000 cases a year across England and Wales, including around 1,400 treated by the RSPCA in 2001.