CALLS have been made for post-mortems to be carried out after five dead swans were discovered.

The birds have become a popular attraction for people walking along Ulverston canal.

A seasoned bird rescuer said she believed either someone had fed them something which had made them ill - or that the canal has been polluted with deadly toxins.

Elisabeth Ashleigh, of Bardsea Bird Sanctuary, said: "There were five dead swans and another is dying. Another is being rescued by a lady who looks after them, Caroline Simms.

"The RSPCA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have been informed and we want a post mortem to find out what is causing it. I am no expert but I do not think that it is Avian Flu.

"They are dying. It is unlikely that it's a form of algae poisoning in the water because it wouldn't just get them all at once like that."

The bird rescuer believes there could be two possibilities: that someone has fed them something which has killed them, or that the canal could have been polluted with toxins.

There are a number of kind-hearted individuals who spend time feeding the swans and have watched them growing up, she said.

Elisabeth said: "I know people who do feed them down the canal and they give them all sorts. It doesn't hurt them to eat brown bread, corn and peas.

"I got told off by people for telling people to feed them digestive biscuits because they said they contain too much sugar but water birds have got a built in filter.

"But this filter doesn't take out toxins entirely and this is why I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I think they are being poisoned.

"They are just dropping like flies and it's awful. I don't know if they are definitely all from the same family but there is a family of seven swans on the canal including five babies.

"It is a very sad day. People watch them grow up and feed them and take pictures of them and now they are dying."

On the same day, a young sheep was found deceased by a walker next to the canal. It is not known if the cause of death is connected to the swans.

Ulverston Mayor Sharon Webster said: "This is terrible. I hope it is nothing sinister.

"If anymore are found I would urge you to report it because it must be something. We need to find out why they are dying.

"It is very strange for five to die at once. It is very sad."